Jasmine Crockett

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize all that made the 6th Annual Fish N' Kids Festival a fun and educational success for the young people across my district. On Saturday, June 6th, well over two hundred children and their families gathered at William Blair, Jr. Pond in South Dallas to spend the day learning how to fish, building community, and creating lasting memories.

I would like to thank Sr. Corporal Robert Serrano and the Southeast Patrol Division at the Dallas Police Department for providing safety and security during the event, and the Dallas Police Community Affairs team, especially Officer Brian Joseph, for their assistance. I would also like to recognize Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Biologist Cynthia Fox Holt and her team for their assistance, as well as the volunteers who taught the children how to cast and fish. TPWD also kindly provided the necessary equipment for children who did not already have proper fishing gear.

Another special thanks to Dallas Parks and Recreation (DPR) Board Member Daniel Wood and the DPR team for ensuring the park had the necessary amenities to accommodate visitors throughout the day.

Finally, I want to thank my District office for their hard work and dedication to the Fish N' Kids event over the last six years. As this is our last Fish N' Kids as Team Crockett, I am so appreciative of their service to the thousands of children and families in the 30th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary institution in Texas' 30th Congressional District, Friendship-West Baptist Church, as it celebrates 50 years of faithful service, transformative ministry, and community leadership. This recognition is especially meaningful to me because Friendship-West is not only a pillar of our community--it is also my home church.

Founded on June 13, 1976, by the late Reverend Robert L. Castle, Ill with just nine worshippers gathering at the Mary Lois Sweatt School of Dance on Liberty Lane, Friendship-West has grown into one of the most influential faith institutions in North Texas. For five decades, the church has served as a beacon of faith, justice, and empowerment, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to both spiritual growth and community transformation.

Under the leadership of Reverend Castle and now Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Friendship-West earned national recognition for its commitment to prophetic ministry, social justice, educational advancement, economic empowerment, and civic engagement. For more than forty years, Dr. Haynes led the congregation with vision, courage, and compassion, establishing Friendship-West as a leading voice on issues of faith, justice, and community empowerment: His ministry challenged people to connect faith with action and inspired generations to pursue lives rooted in service, dignity, and hope.

Friendship-West has touched countless lives through worship, discipleship, youth development programs, community partnerships,

scholarship initiatives, and advocacy efforts that address the needs of underserved communities. The church has also been a leader in confronting critical challenges facing the Dallas community. Through initiatives such as the Annual MLK Teach-In and the Food Justice Initiative, Friendship-West has promoted education, civic engagement, food access, and sustainability while empowering residents to become agents of change in their own communities.

In 2014, the Church expanded its impact by acquiring a credit union and creating pathways to financial opportunity for individuals and families often overlooked by traditional lending institutions. By providing access to responsible financial services and small-dollar loans, Friendship-West helped create opportunities for economic mobility and stability for members of the surrounding community.

The Church's ministry extends beyond Dallas. In 2003, Friendship-West formally adopted Emmanuel Baptist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe, helping support the construction of a worship auditorium, daycare center, and educational facilities. This partnership reflects the church's longstanding commitment to service both locally and globally.

For fifty years, Friendship-West has strengthened families, developed leaders, uplifted communities, and inspired generations to live lives of faith and service. Its legacy is reflected not only in the lives of its members but throughout Dallas, Texas' 30th Congressional District, and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Friendship-West Baptist Church as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. I congratulate its clergy, leadership, and congregation on this remarkable milestone and thank them for their enduring contributions to our community. I wish them continued success and abundant blessings in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 187; NAY on Roll Call No. 188; YEA on Roll Call No. 189; NAY on Roll Call No. 190; and NAY on Roll Call No. 191.