Travis County Commissioners Court
July 10, 2007
Item 1
Number 1 is to approve proclamation recognizing dr. Ciro e. Garcia as he celebrates his 45th year as pastor of the betania baptist church -- or is that betania?
>> betania.
>> and his 85th birthday. And two gentlemen are here to receive this for him. The doctor I think is a bit under the weather today. Let me read the proclamation and we'll get you all the names and comments and if you would just have a seat there, any of those two seats. It reads: whereas jeremiah 3, section 15, god promised, quote, I will give you shepherds after my own heart who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. Whereas dr. Ciro e. Garcia was born July 15, 1922. At the age of 17 he became a minister and preached his first sermon on March 21, 1939 in nmplt uevo leon, mexico. In 1947 he immigrated to Austin, Texas and pastored a small church. In 1962 he started a new church ministry that is now betania baptist church. Whereas dr. Garcia earned a doctorate in theology from the international bible seminary in orlando, florida. He has always been an advocate and champion for equal educational opportunity. Two of his sons have followed dr. Garcia in the ministry and most of his older children are educators in the Austin independent school district. Whereas in praise, worship and celebration nathaniel baptist -- betania baptist churching proudly observing his 45th year as pastor and 85th birthday both which will be celebrated on July 15, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. At the church located at 1117 tillry street. Whereas dr. Garcia is loved and appreciated by his wife elizabeth, nine children, 21 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren. I can hardly wait until next year.
>> [laughter]
>> other family members, his church congregation, the community and an untold number of individuals whose lives he has blessed and touched. And whereas it is with great pleasure and admiration that we extend heartfelt congratulations to dr. Garcia as he continues to serve his congregation and the people of Travis County as he has proclaimed, quote, until god calls him home. Now therefore be it resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby proclaim July 15, 2007, as dr. Ciro garcia day in Travis County and encourage our residents of Travis County to join us in recognizing and saluting dr. Garcia for his inspirational leadership and outstanding service, and I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning. Sorry to be so long. My office drafted the proclamation. We're trying to shorten these but not having much success.
>> judge Biscoe, my name is reverend garcia. I'm one of the sons that followed my father in the ministry. In a city where you hear of so many negative things, there are good things in this town. We have been here since 1962. We've seen this town grow from a real nice, small town, but a good thing gets south out and it's been found. Here we are in 2007, still a wonderful city, but this city still needs jesus christ. And my father has been serving the lord for a long time. He's the real deal. He's not fake. This man has been serving the lord, his first sermon was at 17 years of age. I asked him a few years back, pop, when do you plan on retiring, and he told me when the lord takes me behind the pulpit is when I retire. That was the last time I asked that question. I haven't been in the ministry as long as he has, but he set an example for our family to follow and we all share the lord in some means. We have been in east Austin working there for -- we're going on our 45th year there. It's tough, but the lord has that area of town for a reason to do the ministry there. This town is a good place because of my dad. Good citizen. Good citizen. Follows the town and what it does, and even as you so-called liberal ideas, but yet we still need to be here. In 1962 he had a choice of going to bryan, Texas or Austin, Texas. An established church in bryan, he chose Austin. They asked they wanted to enrollment of the church increased. He increased it by 10 because we increased it immediately. We are so pleased you are recognizing my dad. He is a very special man. He's 85. He will be 85. He's on dialysis Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He recuperates Friday nights. Saturday he is out there visiting, Sunday he is preaching. How many people can do that? We wish to be at a job 30 years and you retire. Well, he's not at a job, he's at a calling. It's something different. And this is going to be his 67th year in the ministry. 45 at betania. Betania is bet knee in english. We are very proud of this man and we thank the county for recognizing him. Again, he's a wonderful man. He's a wonderful father. And he's still the head of our family. I'm the head of mine, but he's the head of our family and we love him for it. My mom is in heaven. She passed away 17 years ago. But a new lady came in his life whose husband was a minister. He passed away and god brought them together to keep going. So we thank you all from the bottom of our heart. Again, good things do happen in this county and in this city. And that's a good thing. And we love our father. And Commissioners, judge Biscoe, we thank you so much for the privilege this morning, and god bless you and when he goes, I still continue on.
>> good.
>> thank you all.
>> shame he couldn't join us. Wish him well for us.
>> I sure will.
>> I just have to echo what he says. I'm not much of a speaker, but I've been in the family over 20 years and he's always been a wonderful role model for me.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you. Appreciate it. God bless you.
>> god bless you.
>> [applause]
>> have you met cheryl brown? Reverend, that's cheryl brown. If you haven't met her, she's the author of that proclamation.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 11:00 AM