2018CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

1.Resolution in RE: DEDICATION OF THE CONVENTION TO SUPREME DIRECTOR & PSD JAVIER MARTINEZ

WHEREAS Javier S. Martinez, was born to the late Ricardo and Santos Martinez in Matamoros, Mexico, he was raised in McAllen, Texas, working hard as a migrant worker who then later served in the U.S. Army, graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin in 1985, and practiced personal injury law for more than 33 years; and

WHEREASBrother Javier joined the Knights of Columbus in 1991 and was an active member and Past Grand Knight of Holy Family Council in Missouri City, Texas, Council 7728, and a proud member of Bishop Morkovsky Assembly in Sugar Land, Texas, Assembly 2243; and

WHEREASBrother Javier served the Texas State Council as District Deputy from 1995 to 1998attaining Star District twice, Membership Director from 2002 to 2004, State Advocate from 1998 to 2002, State Treasurer, from 2004 to 2006, State Secretary from 2006 to 2008, and State Deputy from 2008 to 2010; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier, in his two year tenure as State Deputy, provided exemplary leadership recruitingmore than 10,000 new Brother Knights and successfully attaining Supreme’s coveted Circle of Honor Award both years and having grown the Order in Texas to over 90,000 Knights, making Texas the third largest jurisdiction in the Americas; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier was always active in his parish, assisting with RCIA, and was recognized for his dedicated service and leadership by his selection to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 2009; and

WHEREAS the Supreme Board of Directors nominated Brother Javier to serve as a Supreme Director, such nomination being approved by the Supreme Convention in 2009, 2012 and 2015; and

WHEREAS in 2015, after retiring from a successful legal career, our Worthy Supreme Knight Carl Anderson named Brother Javier as a Special Assistant, assigned to assisting with Hispanic Outreach and with various special projects and assignments of vital importance to the Order, including home associations, membership, retention and recruiting; and

WHEREAS Javier and his lovely wife of more than thirty-six years, Marietta, have raised two sons, Francisco, who is married to Jeanette, and Alonso, who is married to Stephanie, and three lovely granddaughters Isabella, Abigail and Brianna; and

WHEREASBrother Javier in his vocations as father, grandfather and Knight of Columbus has provided an exemplary model of leadership and service as a Catholic man and a Catholic gentleman; and

WHEREAS after a courageous struggle, Brother Javier passed away on March 2, 2018.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus, assembled in Houston, Texas on April 27 to April 29, 2018, hereby dedicate this 114thState Convention in memory of our late and beloved Supreme Director, Past State Deputy, Former District Deputy and Past Grand Knight Sir Knight Javier Martinez of Sugar Land, Texas for his outstanding charitable and fraternal leadership in the Knights of Columbus and in Our Church; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that all Council Grand Knights, Program Directors and Lecturers pray the rosary prior to their Council meetings in May and June for repose of the soul of Brother Javier and for his family, and that all Councils ask their Chaplains, Assembly Friars, Parish Pastors, priests and clergy to have a Mass said for the repose of the soul of Brother Javier S. Martinez.

Submitted: State Officers

2.Resolution in RE: WELCOME TO ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO JCD

WHEREAS Timothy Broglio was born in 1951 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, attended Catholic schools in Cleveland, Ohio, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classics at Boston College, a Masters in Theology and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome; and

WHEREAS he was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese of Cleveland on May 19, 1977 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the North American College in Rome, and from 1977 to 1979 served in South Euclid, Ohio as associate pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish and lectured in Theology at Notre Dame College, and he was selected to attend the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome from 1979 to 1983; and

WHEREAS he served as Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (1983-1987) and of the Apostolic Nunciature in Asuncion, Paraguay (1987-1990), and from 1990 to 2001 as Chief of Cabinet to Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State to Pope John Paul II and as desk officer for Central America, and in February 2001 Archbishop Broglio was named Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS he was ordained an Archbishop by His Holiness Pope. John Paul II on March 19, 2001, the feast of St Joseph, and on November 19, 2007 Archbishop Broglio was named the fourth Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA and installed January 25, 2008, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul; and

WHEREAS Archbishop Broglio has served the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on a variety of Committees and Task Forces, and as Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace; as a Trustee of Catholic Distance University, on the Board of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, and Chair of the Communications Committee for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and served on the Board for Catholic Relief Services; and

WHEREAS Archbishop Broglio has been honored as a member of many international and Papal Orders of Catholic Knights; and is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and French; and

WHEREAS the Archdiocese for the Military Services was created by Pope John Paul II to provide the Catholic Church's full range of pastoral ministries and spiritual services to those in the United States Armed Forces and includes more than 220 military installations in 29 countries, patients in 153 V.A. Medical Centers, and federal employees serving outside the boundaries of the U.S. in 134 countries, making the AMS responsible for the spiritual well-being of more than 1.8 million men, women and children; and

WHEREAS the Archdiocese for the Military Services is the sole endorser of Catholic Chaplains for the Veterans Administration Medical Centers with 188priests endorsed for service in the VA as of 2016; and as of 2017, Archbishop Broglio leads the 226 priests who serve as chaplains in the military services of the USA; and

WHEREAS since before WWI, the Order of the Knights of Columbus have had a steady history of extraordinary support to those serving in the military forces of the USA; and

WHEREAS in 2010, the Knights of Columbus created the AMS Co-sponsored seminarian scholarship fund and has donated over $2.5 Million to the support of seminarians in formation to become Catholic priests and chaplains in the military services; and

WHEREAS for the past two years the AMS Co-sponsored seminarian scholarship fund has been a special project for the families of the Texas State Council to provide support for current and future Catholic chaplains who will serve in our US armed forces;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Texas State Council recognizes and welcomes Archbishop Broglio for his outstanding leadership of this vital ministry to serve our military members, our veterans and families serving across the globe, and for his steadfast efforts to carry out the most sacred of duties to provide spiritual nourishment to those who face the unique challenges of employing force where necessary to protect and defend our national interests and the fundamental freedoms we stand for; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that we enthusiastically commend Archbishop Broglio andproudly present him with a very special recognition forhis outstanding role as an exemplary Chaplain for all of those he serves, and especially our military members who are Brother Knights, and also a significant donation to the co-sponsored seminarian ccholarship fund; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas State Council wishes the very best of God’s continued and abundant blessings upon the vital work of the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

Submitted: State Officers

3.Resolution in RE: APPRECIATION FOR OUR BISHOPS AND CLERGY

WHEREAS the Knights of Columbus, an organization of Catholic men founded by a priest, has always held the priests of our Church in especially high regard and has always invited and welcomed allpriests into our membership, and out of profound respect for their unique position and authority as representatives and leaders of the Church, has always held open our meetings and ceremonies to priests even if they were not members; and

WHEREAS Texas State Council Knights of Columbus is deeply grateful for the many benefits rendered to our organization and to the 114thAnnual State Convention by the Bishops and clergy in the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS since our last gathering, our Holy Father named the Most ReverendMario Alberto Avilés, CO, to serve as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Brownsville; and

WHEREAS we wish to always renew and do hereby reaffirm our pledge to continue to be the strong right arm of the Catholic Church and to always support and defend our Bishops, priests and other members of the clergy and religious;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus in convention duly assembled in Houston, Texas, does hereby congratulate our newly appointed Bishop and express to allBishops and clergy, and particularly to His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, our host Ordinary; his Excellency the Most Reverend Joe S. Vasquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, our State Chaplain and his Excellency the Most Reverend Brendan Cahill, STD, Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria, our Associate State Chaplain; each of the Bishopsfor the Dioceses of Texas; the Council and Chapter Chaplains and the Assembly and District Friars of Texas, and all clergy who aid in making the spiritual aspect of our meetings and this convention more meaningful, our sincere appreciation and our thanks for their inspiration, cooperation and counsel.

Submitted:State Officers

4.Resolution in RE:MEMORIAM

WHEREAS Almighty God has called home many of our Brother Knights since our last convention;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this convention pause during our Memorial Mass to join our Worthy State Chaplain Bishop Joe Vasquez and Associate State Chaplain Bishop Brendan Cahill in prayer for the repose of the souls of our departed Brothers whose names are listed in the “In Memoriam” booklet, and of all Brother Knights who have passed away in prior years; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that each Grand Knight assume the responsibility of notifying the members of his Council and calling the Brothers together at the time of death of a member of his Council to have a Mass offered for the repose of his soul; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that each Council hold appropriate Commemorative Exercises and Masses during the month of November to pay tribute to their deceased Brothers.

Submitted: State Officers

5.Resolution in RE:APPRECIATION OF HOST COMMITTEE

WHEREASKnights of Columbus members of theHouston State Convention Committee are graciously serving as hosts to the 2018State Convention of the 114thmeeting of the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS such Committee, as our host, has extended to us warm, sincere greetings and hospitality as well as consistent cooperation in all requirements, making the duties of the officers and staff easier to discharge; and

WHEREASthe Texas State Council and the member Councils know, understand and appreciate the unique difficulty and sacrifices made by the Knights of Columbus members and their families in the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey; and

NOW THEREFOREBE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus hereby extends to the officers and members of the HoustonState Convention Committee and their wives our sincere appreciation and profound thanks for the cordial welcome, excellent workmanship, and fine hospitality shown to all members in attendance.

Submitted:State Officers

6.Resolution in RE:BEATIFICATION OF FATHER MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY

WHEREASsince 1978 the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus has been pursuing the cause for the beatification of our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney; and

WHEREAS in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael J. McGivney, and whose declaration significantly advances hisprogress toward sainthood giving Father McGivney the distinction of “Venerable Servant of God”; and

WHEREASthe Church continues to study and investigate the life and work of our founder Father Michael J. McGivney, which also includes examining a possible miracle manifested through the intercession of Father McGivney; and

WHEREAS on January 10, 2006, the book titled Parish Priest Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism, a biography of our founder, was published and made it to the New York Times Best Sellers list; and

WHEREAS to further promote devotion to Father McGivney, in 2013 the Texas State Council commissioned the first devotional icon of our beloved founder, the original of which hangs in the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven and copies of which are available at ; and

WHEREAS the Father McGivney Guild has been established to help further the goal of saintly recognition for this worthy priest, and currently has a membership of over 150,000individuals;

NOWTHEREFOREBE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Council,Knights of Columbus in Convention duly assembled in Houston, Texas, do hereby fully support the Supreme Council in this cause, and continue to pledge our ongoing prayers for the beatification of this great and noble priest and encourage Texas State Council members and all Catholics to join the Father McGivney Guild and pray for his beatification; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas State Council encourages local councils to maintain and make available copies of our founder’s biography for all Knights to read and share, and display a framed copy of the devotional icon in all council chambers and to give the icon as appreciation gifts to our bishops, pastors, chaplains and others in recognition of special service accomplishments; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Supreme Council for the consideration and edification of all delegates attending the 136thSupreme Council Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

Submitted:State Officers

7.Resolution in RE: IN SOLIDARITY WITH PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

WHEREAS Christians are suffering violent persecution around the world, especially in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Africa as a result of sectarian violence and civil war; and

WHEREAS the number of Christians in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon has dropped substantially and has either displaced or forced an estimated number of 4.0 million refugees to leave their homes, including many Christians; and

WHEREAS many nations have either remained silent or refuse to assist the refugees in the face of the unspeakable and brutal violence and persecution; and

WHEREAS His Holiness, Pope Francis has urged the international community to respond to this immense humanitarian tragedy; and

WHEREAS Pope Francis has spoken of the significant contributions Christians have made to the Middle East and the importance of their continued presence in the region; and

WHEREAS the Knights of Columbus established the Christian Refugee Relief Fund in 2014 and has since delivered more than $18million in aid to displaced Iraqi and Syrian Christians and other persecuted religious minorities; and

WHEREAS the Texas State Council and its subordinate Councils support the efforts, contributions, and leadership provided by our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, our Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and our Supreme Council leaders in recognizing and publicizing the plight of all the persecuted victims—particularly our Christian brothers and sisters—throughout the world.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Council and all subordinate Councils in Texas stand in solidarity with those Christians and non-Christians around the world who are suffering from violent persecution; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas State Council and all subordinate Councils in Texas will continue to support our Supreme Knight and the Supreme Council’s efforts to provide moral and financial supportfor our displaced Christian brothers and sisters and pray for all the victims of the current persecution; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas State Council calls upon the President of the United States to work with the Congress, State and local governments, and the leaders of other nations to find a compassionate solution that would allow legitimate victims of this current persecution to find safety and shelter in this country and others while still maintaining an effective deterrent from those who would seek to commit acts of violence and terror; and