TITLE: In memory of Dave Welch.

SUMMARY: In memory of Dave Welch.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Pastor Dave Welch; and WHEREAS, Pastor Dave Welch was the founder and executive director of the Houston Area Pastor Council, the Texas Pastor Council, and the United States Pastor Council; for four decades, he held leadership positions at notable religious organizations, including roles as founding executive director of the Christian Coalition of Washington, national field director of the Christian Coalition, and executive director of Vision America; and WHEREAS, The Houston Area Pastor Council was launched under the guidance of Pastor Welch in 2003, and it has grown to involve more than three hundred pastors; it has been used in cities throughout the nation as a model for the grassroots development of interracial, interdenominational teams of pastors who are mutually committed to promoting Biblical principles in the home, the church, and the community through ministry in their local churches; and WHEREAS, Pastor Welch served at the forefront of interactions between the church and members of government at the city, state, and national levels; many leaders in Texas government, including state senators and the lieutenant governor, worked with Pastor Welch for the better part of two decades, and his commitment to faith, family, and freedom reflected the highest ideals of the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, Dave grew up in a patriotic working-class family in the State of Washington; he was ordained by Grace International, and he was a licensed minister with the Church of God in Christ; he and his wife, Valerie, were married for 42 years, and they were blessed with six children and twenty grandchildren, who enriched their lives immeasurably; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Pastor Dave Welch; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Pastor Dave Welch. Bettencourt Alvarado Hancock Miles Birdwell Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Blanco Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Campbell Huffman Paxton Creighton Hughes Perry Eckhardt King Schwertner Flores Kolkhorst Sparks Hagenbuch Middleton West Hall Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 1, 2025, by a rising vote.