87S31446 JGH-D
By: González of El Paso H.R. No. 262
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas has been a
leader in the fight for social justice for members of the LGBTQIA+
communities in Texas, and his efforts have made a positive
difference in numerous lives; and
WHEREAS, Since 2015, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has been the
senior pastor at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, which is a member of
the United Church of Christ and one of the largest predominately
LGBTQIA+ churches in the nation; since 1981, he has been a member of
Metropolitan Community Churches, a movement made up of LGBTQIA+
affirming congregations, and he previously served as senior pastor
of MCC churches in Bournemouth, England, and Los Angeles,
California; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has
spoken out against the bigotry that many religious organizations
express toward members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; in addition, he
has played a vital role in establishing programs for unhoused
people, night and day shelters, safe sex initiatives, and LGBTQ
youth services, and he helped found a drop-in counseling center
during the AIDS pandemic; and
WHEREAS, A native of Bournemouth, Reverend Cazares-Thomas
attended St. John's Theological College, La Saint Union, and King
Alfred's College, and he earned his doctorate of ministry from San
Francisco Theological Seminary in 2009; he has chaired the Ordained
Ministries European District board and served as a member of the
Elder's Task Force on Education, the European District Committee,
and the board of Samaritan College, among other leadership roles;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Cazares-Thomas is a recipient of many
honors, including the 2018 Justice Seeker of the Year Award from the
Dallas Peace and Justice Center, the 2017 Shalom Award from the
Temple Shalom Brotherhood, the 2017 Partners for Equality Award
from Lambda Legal, the 2016 Crystal Hope Award from AIDS Interfaith
Network, the 2012 Leadership Award from California Faith for
Equality, and the 2010 Harvey Milk Award; and
WHEREAS, Through his myriad endeavors, Reverend
Cazares-Thomas has helped further inclusion and equality in the
Lone Star State, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his many
noteworthy accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend the Reverend
Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas for his service to the LGBTQIA+
communities of Texas and extend to him sincere best wishes for
continued success in his important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Reverend Cazares-Thomas as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.