MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Holland, Creel, Denny, Evans, Guice, Janus, Martinson, Peranich, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING BISHOP WILLIAM R. HOUCK FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Bishop William R. Houck, a native of Mobile, Alabama, is retiring after serving the Catholic church for more than 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Houck, son of William R. and Mildred Blanchard Houck, attended St. Vincent School and McGill Institute in Mobile, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from St. Mary's Seminary and the Catholic University of America, Bishop Houck was ordained a Priest for the Diocese of Mobile on May 19, 1951, at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception; and
WHEREAS, throughout his long and distinguished career in the Catholic church, Bishop Houck has performed pastoral work in parishes in Alabama and Florida; served in teaching and administrative positions in Catholic schools in Alabama and Florida; served as Superintendent of Catholic Schools in Alabama; and served as Secretary of Education in Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Houck was ordained a Bishop by Pope John Paul II on May 27, 1979, at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, Bishop Houck served as Auxiliary Bishop to Bishop Joseph Brunini before being installed as the ninth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson on June 5, 1984, which encompasses 65 of the 82 counties in central and northern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Houck has served as an instrumental leader in the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference and as President of the Board of Hospice Ministries in Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Bishop Houck has been an active member of many professional organizations including serving on the Executive Board of International Liaison for the United States Catholic Committee for Lay Volunteer Ministry; the American Board of Catholic Missions Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops; the Catholic Telecommunication Network of America Board; the Governor's Task Force on Infant Mortality; the Southern Ecumenical Coalition on Maternal and Infant Health; President of the Ecumenical Health Care Organization; the Domestic Policy Committee on Peace and Justice of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Evangelization for eight years; former President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and many more; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Houck has exemplified courage and leadership in civil rights issues throughout the state and calling attention to the plight of children in this state, especially those who live in poverty; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding service such as that of Bishop Houck, who has dedicated his life to serving the spiritual and emotional needs of so many people, striving to improve their quality of life:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Bishop William R. Houck for his many years of outstanding service, congratulate him upon his retirement and express our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Bishop William R. Houck and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.