TITLE: In memory of Dr. Charles A. Hunter of Dallas.

SUMMARY: In memory of Dr. Charles A. Hunter of Dallas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Dallas lost an admired civic and spiritual leader with the passing of Dr. Charles Alvin Maurice Hunter on June 12, 2011, at the age of 85; and WHEREAS, Born in Longview on May 7, 1926, Charles Hunter graduated from Bishop College in 1947 and earned a bachelor's degree in divinity from Howard University; he went on to earn his master of divinity and doctor of theology degrees from Philadelphia Divinity School and an additional master's degree from North Texas State University; after serving as pastor of Trinity Congregational Churches in Tallahassee, Florida, and Athens, Alabama, he moved to Dallas and led the Hope, Glendale, and St. Luke Presbyterian Churches before joining Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church as assistant pastor; and WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter became the first African American elected as presiding officer of the Northeast Texas Presbytery and served as moderator of Grace Presbytery and the Synod of the Sun of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); in addition, he chaired the peacemaking committee of Grace Presbytery and created its multicultural conference, which evolved into one of the denomination's popular national events; he was a mentor to many people and touched countless lives in other countries through his mission activities in places such as Nicaragua and Haiti; and WHEREAS, A gifted educator, Dr. Hunter taught sociology at Bishop College and became department director for both sociology and urban affairs; he also served as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, The University of Texas at Arlington, El Centro College, and Richland Community College; moreover, he taught at the Dallas Police Academy and worked in research and development for the Dallas Independent School District; and WHEREAS, One of the first African Americans to run for the Dallas school board, Dr. Hunter served as a Dallas County precinct chair and election judge for more than four decades; he began working to improve race relations in the city in the early 1960s, and in 1968 he formed the Amigos, a multicultural social organization that sponsored picnics, movies, potluck dinners, and other outings to bring together people of diverse ethnicity; while serving on the board of the Greater Dallas Housing and Opportunity Center, he developed and conducted surveys of housing patterns to identify discrimination in the sale and rental of real estate, and he became one of the first to integrate Oak Cliff; greatly benefiting his fellow citizens, he gave generously of his time and expertise as a member of the boards of the Dallas Peace Center, the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Dallas, the Trinity River Authority, and the Greater Dallas Community of Churches; he further served as director of the Common Ground Credit Union and wrote a column on racial matters for the Dallas Examiner;and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Dr. Hunter enjoyed the affection and support of his loved ones, including his wife, Annie, and his daughter Alpha, who preceded him in death, as well as his children Rhonda, Rhashell, Byron, and Rosalyn; and WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Hunter made a lasting, positive impact in Dallas and beyond, and although he will be deeply missed, his dedication to his faith, his family, and his community will remain a lasting source of inspiration to all who were privileged to know this wise and compassionate Texan; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Charles Alvin Maurice Hunter and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his children, Rhonda Hunter, the Reverend Dr. Rhashell Hunter, Byron Hunter, and Rosalyn Hunter; to his sisters, Delores Simms and Dorothy Griffin; to his brother, Julian Hunter; to his three grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Charles A. Hunter. Davis of Dallas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 139 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House