TITLE: Recognizing Joseph C. Parker, Jr., for receiving the 2013 Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Joseph C. Parker, Jr., for receiving the 2013 Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Joseph C. Parker, Jr., who has been named the recipient of the 2013 Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award; and WHEREAS, Mr. Parker is senior pastor at David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin; he is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, and he earned a degree from The University of Texas School of Law, where he was selected as a member of the Order of Barristers; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his career as a civil trial attorney and mediator, Mr. Parker served as chief of litigation for the State Bar of Texas, and he was the first African American to be named president of the Travis County Bar Association; he is a Master of the Court in the American Inns of Court and a Fellow of the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law; and WHEREAS, He holds a master of divinity degree from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University and a doctorate in urban ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston; he served as associate pastor for Christian education at David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church before assuming the position of senior pastor in 1992; and WHEREAS, Mr. Parker is the author of Holy Change: A Systemic Approach to Transforming a Community and has served on the faculties of Baylor University and The University of Texas School of Law; he has served on the boards of Safe Place and the Austin Area Urban League and is the founding president of Texas Congregations United for Empowerment; he is truly deserving of recognition for his many contributions to his community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commend Joseph C. Parker, Jr., on his outstanding achievements and extend congratulations to him on his selection as the recipient of the 2013 Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Watson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 25, 2013.