Honoring Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford Sr. for his outstanding contributions as a spiritual leader.

89(R) HR 592 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 592

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford Sr. has inspired and

uplifted countless people through his lifetime of service in the

ministry and the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and

WHEREAS, Ronnie Brailsford was elected and consecrated as the

136th bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church during the

50th Quadrennial General Conference held in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, in July 2016; he has since distinguished himself

through his tenure as president of the AME Church's Council of

Bishops, and since August 2024, he has proudly served as the

presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District of the AME Church

in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Bishop Brailsford has upheld and

advanced the humanitarian mission of the AME Church; he previously

served the 19th and 20th Episcopal Districts, which together

encompass more than 77,000 members in South Africa, Malawi,

Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, and Mozambique; he has visited hundreds

of churches and dozens of AME schools in Africa, and he has helped

oversee a number of fundraisers, medical mission trips, and

disaster relief efforts that have provided aid to thousands of

people; and

WHEREAS, A native of South Carolina, Bishop Brailsford

graduated from the University of South Carolina and earned his

master of divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological

Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was a Benjamin E. Mays Fellow

and a John Middleton Scholar; he received his doctor of ministry

degree from United Theological Seminary, and he has been recognized

with many academic, professional, and community accolades, as well

as an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the African Methodist

Episcopal University in Monrovia, Liberia; and

WHEREAS, Licensed to preach at the Historic Liberty Hill AME

Church in Summerton, South Carolina, in 1980, Bishop Brailsford

went on to pastor at churches in South Carolina and Georgia before

assuming the pulpit of Bethel AME Church in Columbia, South

Carolina, and guiding the congregation from 1992 to 2016; during

that time, his leadership brought about significant growth in the

church's membership and financial standing; and

WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Bishop Brailsford has enjoyed

the love and support of his wife of more than 40 years, Carolyn

Brailsford, as well as their three children and seven

grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman has demonstrated a

wholehearted commitment to his church and his wider community of

faith, and his many good works have earned him the respect and

admiration of all who know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby honor Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford Sr. for

his outstanding contributions as a spiritual leader and extend to

him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for Bishop Brailsford as an expression of high regard by

the Texas House of Representatives.

Reynolds

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 592 was adopted by the House on April

17, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 128, Nays 12, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House