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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed |
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cause for celebration, and Dr. Ray O. Brooks of Henderson is |
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marking that special milestone on March 7, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Emhouse in 1923 to John Thomas "Jack" Brooks |
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and Laila Ray Brooks, Ray Brooks grew up with three sisters, Tommye, |
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Elvice, and Vida; answering his nation's call to duty, he served |
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during World War II as a U.S. Naval Air Force lieutenant and blimp |
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pilot, conducting enemy U-boat reconnaissance during his patrols |
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over the Caribbean; after the war, in 1946, he earned a bachelor's |
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degree from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Brooks went on to receive a doctorate in |
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theology from Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary; he served for |
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70 years as pastor of Long Branch Missionary Baptist Church, and he |
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further distinguished himself in his longtime role as president of |
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the Texas Baptist Institute; he continues to be an active biblical |
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scholar; and |
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WHEREAS, On September 8, 1945, Dr. Brooks exchanged wedding |
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vows with the former Mickey Evans, and the couple shared a rewarding |
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marriage that spanned more than six and a half decades, until her |
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death in 2013; they became the devoted parents of two children, |
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Patty and Jack, and today Dr. Brooks also takes great pride in his |
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two grandchildren, Amanda and Craig, and his two |
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great-grandchildren, Rainey and Maria; he is a competitive dominoes |
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player, and he enjoys watching John Wayne movies and Gunsmoke |
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reruns; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, Dr. Ray Brooks has not |
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only bravely served his nation but has also met the challenges and |
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opportunities of a long life with grace and fortitude, and he is |
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blessed with the deep respect and lasting affection of his loved |
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ones; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby congratulate Dr. Ray O. Brooks on the joyous occasion of his |
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100th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
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happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Dr. Brooks as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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Senate. |