H.R. No. 616
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Donald K. Stephens has had a transformative impact
in the lives of countless people through his efforts as the founder
of Mercy Ships, an international faith-based charity that uses
hospital ships and volunteer professionals to provide free medical
care to men, women, and children across the globe; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Don Stephens founded Mercy Ships along with
his wife, Deyon; its vision was inspired by the work of the
international hospital ship S.S. Hope, as well as by their
experience as the parents of a child with disabilities; he oversaw
the growth and development of the organization until his retirement
from operational duties, and he also hosted a daily radio broadcast
called "The Mercy Minute," which aired on some 840 stations for over
two decades; today, he continues to promote the Mercy Ships mission
internationally in his role as president emeritus; and
WHEREAS, A global Christian missionary organization, Mercy
Ships operates two vessels, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy,
the latter of which was funded by a capital campaign managed by
Mr. Stephens and commissioned into service in 2022; each ship is
deployed to field missions in low- and middle-income nations, where
thousands of volunteers perform such surgical procedures as cleft
lip and palate surgery, cataract removal, and orthopedic and facial
reconstruction; all patients are treated free of charge, regardless
of their religion, race, or gender, and since its inception, close
to three million people have directly benefited from the services
the charity has provided; and
WHEREAS, In addition to overseeing the operations of the
organization, Mr. Stephens has authored three books, Trial by
Trial, Mandate for Mercy, and Ships of Mercy; in 2009, he was
presented with the International Humanitarian of the Year award
from Variety International; and
WHEREAS, Under the compassionate leadership of Don Stephens,
Mercy Ships has been a beacon of hope to the world's most
vulnerable, and his lifelong service in behalf of the
organization's mission and his steadfast dedication to the greater
good are indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Donald K. Stephens for his work as the
founder and president emeritus of Mercy Ships 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 Mr. Stephens as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Hefner
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 616 was adopted by the House on March
31, 2025, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House