TITLE: Commending the Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas for his service to the LGBTQIA+ communities of Texas.

SUMMARY: Commending the Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas for his service to the LGBTQIA+ communities of Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas has been a leader in the fight for social justice for members of the LGBTQIA+ communities in Texas, and his efforts have made a positive difference in numerous lives; and WHEREAS, Since 2015, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has been the senior pastor at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, which is a member of the United Church of Christ and one of the largest predominately LGBTQIA+ churches in the nation; since 1981, he has been a member of Metropolitan Community Churches, a movement made up of LGBTQIA+ affirming congregations, and he previously served as senior pastor of MCC churches in Bournemouth, England, and Los Angeles, California; and WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has spoken out against the bigotry that many religious organizations express toward members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; in addition, he has played a vital role in establishing programs for unhoused people, night and day shelters, safe sex initiatives, and LGBTQ youth services, and he helped found a drop-in counseling center during the AIDS pandemic; and WHEREAS, A native of Bournemouth, Reverend Cazares-Thomas attended St. John's Theological College, La Saint Union, and King Alfred's College, and he earned his doctorate of ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 2009; he has chaired the Ordained Ministries European District board and served as a member of the Elder's Task Force on Education, the European District Committee, and the board of Samaritan College, among other leadership roles; and WHEREAS, Reverend Cazares-Thomas is a recipient of many honors, including the 2018 Justice Seeker of the Year Award from the Dallas Peace and Justice Center, the 2017 Shalom Award from the Temple Shalom Brotherhood, the 2017 Partners for Equality Award from Lambda Legal, the 2016 Crystal Hope Award from AIDS Interfaith Network, the 2012 Leadership Award from California Faith for Equality, and the 2010 Harvey Milk Award; and WHEREAS, Through his myriad endeavors, Reverend Cazares-Thomas has helped further inclusion and equality in the Lone Star State, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his many noteworthy accomplishments; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend the Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas for his service to the LGBTQIA+ communities of Texas and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Reverend Cazares-Thomas as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonz lez of El Paso Gonz lez of Dallas Zwiener Johnson of Dallas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 262 was adopted by the House on October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House