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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 224
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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" |
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Brooks and Laila Ray Brooks, Ray Brooks grew up with three |
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sisters, Tommye, Elvice, and Vida; answering his nation's call to |
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duty, he served during World War II as a U.S. Naval Air Force |
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lieutenant and blimp pilot, conducting enemy U-boat |
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reconnaissance during his patrols over the Caribbean; after the |
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war, in 1946, he earned a bachelor's degree from the Agricultural |
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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 |
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he further distinguished himself in his longtime role as |
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president of the Texas Baptist Institute; he continues to be an |
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active biblical scholar; and |
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WHEREAS, On September 8, 1945, Dr. Brooks exchanged |
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wedding vows with the former Mickey Evans, and the couple shared |
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a rewarding marriage that spanned more than six and a half |
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decades, until her death in 2013; they became the devoted parents |
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of two children, Patty and Jack, and today Dr. Brooks also takes |
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great pride in his two grandchildren, Amanda and Craig, and his |
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two great-grandchildren, Rainey and Maria; he is a competitive |
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dominoes player, and he enjoys watching John Wayne movies and |
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Gunsmoke reruns; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, Dr. Ray Brooks has |
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not only bravely served his nation but has also met the |
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challenges and opportunities of a long life with grace and |
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fortitude, and he is blessed with the deep respect and lasting |
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affection of his loved ones; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby congratulate Dr. Ray O. Brooks on the joyous |
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occasion of his 100th birthday and extend to him sincere best |
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wishes for continued 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 from the |
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Texas Senate. |
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Hughes |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 28, 2023. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |