H.R. No. 1850 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Pastor Kennedy Jones was installed as president of the Arlington Branch of the NAACP on January 11, 2023; and WHEREAS, A native of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Pastor Jones holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama, and he has worked as an engineering dynamicist for LTV Aerospace and Defense Company in Dallas; he answered the call to the ministry at First Community Missionary Baptist Church in 1987, and he later became the founding pastor of Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in 1991; and WHEREAS, Over the years, Pastor Jones has volunteered his time as a youth sports coach and mentor to young men in Arlington and Mansfield; he has also led his church in the creation of youth enrichment programs and in forming a partnership with Hope Tutoring Center to provide help to Arlington ISD students; and WHEREAS, The son of parents who were actively involved in the civil rights movement in Alabama, Pastor Jones has followed in their footsteps through his work in the areas of social and economic justice and criminal justice reform; he previously served as co-chair of the Religious Affairs Committee of the NAACP's Arlington Branch, which honored him with its Nelson Mandela Award in 2018, and he has done valuable work in the community as a member of the Arlington MLK Celebration Committee; in his role as president of the Arlington Ministerial Association, he has collaborated with the Arlington Police Department and the Tarrant County district attorney to address issues related to the improper use of deadly force by law enforcement against persons of color; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Pastor Jones enjoys the love and support of his wife of 40 years, First Lady Elaine Jones, and he takes great pride in their two children, Kenda and Kennedy; and WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has rendered immeasurable service to both his congregation and his community, and he is indeed deserving of the confidence that has been placed in him by the members of the NAACP Arlington Branch; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Pastor Kennedy Jones on his installation as president of the Arlington Branch of the NAACP and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Pastor Jones as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Turner ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1850 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House