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| 6 | 7 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 7 | 8 | | WHEREAS, The members of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church in |
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| 8 | 9 | | Austin are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their church's |
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| 9 | 10 | | founding on February 16, 2025; and |
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| 10 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Third Baptist Church, as it was originally known, |
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| 11 | 12 | | was organized in 1875 by the Reverend C. Ward and 18 charter |
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| 12 | 13 | | members, who first met in the home of Elisa Hawkins; after the |
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| 13 | 14 | | congregation outgrew its first frame structure, a brick sanctuary |
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| 14 | 15 | | was erected in 1885 at the church's current location at East 10th |
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| 15 | 16 | | and San Marcos Streets; in the decades that followed, Ebenezer was |
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| 16 | 17 | | expanded, and the present building and education complex, a |
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| 17 | 18 | | parsonage, and various adjacent properties were added; and |
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| 18 | 19 | | WHEREAS, In 1938, under the direction of Virgie |
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| 19 | 20 | | Carrington-Dewitty, the church's Bright and Early Choir became the |
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| 20 | 21 | | first African American choir to perform on a commercial radio |
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| 21 | 22 | | program in Texas; today, members of all ages perform in six vocal |
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| 22 | 23 | | choirs and in a handbell choir, carrying on the congregation's |
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| 23 | 24 | | proud musical heritage; the church was recognized with the |
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| 24 | 25 | | placement of a Texas Historical Marker in 1976; and |
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| 25 | 26 | | WHEREAS, This venerable religious institution has played a |
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| 26 | 27 | | vital role in the community, providing its members with myriad |
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| 27 | 28 | | opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and outreach; the |
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| 28 | 29 | | congregation has benefited from the able leadership of a number of |
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| 29 | 30 | | dedicated pastors, including the Reverend Dr. Marvin C. Griffin, |
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| 30 | 31 | | who served the congregation for more than four decades and oversaw |
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| 31 | 32 | | the church's mortgage burning ceremony during its centennial |
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| 32 | 33 | | celebration; today, that tradition of service is continued by the |
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| 33 | 34 | | Reverend Dr. Ricky Freeman; and |
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| 34 | 35 | | WHEREAS, Ebenezer Third Baptist Church has long served as a |
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| 35 | 36 | | source of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, and |
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| 36 | 37 | | its continued existence is a testament to the unwavering commitment |
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| 37 | 38 | | of its members and clergy, both past and present; now, therefore, be |
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| 38 | 39 | | it |
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| 39 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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| 40 | 41 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ebenezer |
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| 41 | 42 | | Third Baptist Church and extend to the congregation sincere best |
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| 42 | 43 | | wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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| 43 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 44 | 45 | | prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 45 | 46 | | House of Representatives. |
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