TITLE: Honoring Pastor Elias R. Vasquez and Emma Vasquez of First Christian Church in Alice for their service.

SUMMARY: Honoring Pastor Elias R. Vasquez and Emma Vasquez of First Christian Church in Alice for their service.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The members of First Christian Church in Alice are gathering on October 8, 2023, to honor their pastor, Elias R. Vasquez, and his wife, Emma Vasquez, for their combined 50 years of service in the ministry; and WHEREAS, Since professing his faith in 1973, Pastor Vasquez has served the Disciples of Christ Christian Church in area, regional, and national administrative roles, which have included presiding over the Southwest Hispanic Convention from 1985 to 1988 and the National Hispanic Bilingual Fellowship Confraternity from 1988 to 1989; he worked as a grant administrator for Nueces County before retiring from his secular career to devote himself fully to the ministry; in 1995, he was licensed as a pastor by the Disciples of Christ Christian Church; and WHEREAS, On September 16, 1994, Pastor Vasquez was appointed as senior pastor of First Christian Church in Alice, where he has preached for nearly three decades; over the course of his tenure, the church's congregation has grown more multicultural, and he has enjoyed overseeing the development of a thriving children's ministry; along the way, he has benefited immensely from the love and support of his wife, Emma Vasquez, who, like her husband, has dedicated herself to the church with a spirit of compassion, perseverance, and selfless service; and WHEREAS, Through their inspiring faith and leadership, Pastor Elias R. Vasquez and Emma Vasquez have enhanced the lives of countless individuals, and in so doing, they have won the affection of their congregation and the esteem of the Alice and Robstown communities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor Pastor Elias R. Vasquez and Emma Vasquez for their longtime service in the ministry and extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Pastor and Mrs. Vasquez as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Herrero Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 6 was adopted by the House on November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House