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About the Hon. Mark Ovard...
(for legal matters click here)

Hello!
This should tell you a little bit about myself. Feel free to call or visit to talk over your wedding.
It is your wedding, so I will conduct the ceremony you select in a manner appropriate for your occasion - formal or casual.
Good luck with your marriage plans and hope you enjoy this Wedding Website!

Mark

Background & Profile
Authorized to conduct weddings under the State of Texas Family Code, Article 8, in my capacity as a Judge,  Justice of the Peace and as an ordained minister. I will sign your marriage license in all capacities - unless you wish it signed in only one or the other (sometimes couples want this strictly in the official or strictly in the ministerial capacity.)

Public Speaking Background
Studied public speaking at 4 universities (7 years) and am degreed in Speech Science. Past speech recognition includes:
Texas State Speech Championship senior division - high school and college
Outstanding Man of the Year in Public Speaking for State of Texas
University of Texas Speech Coach - State award for Speech Coach of the Year
Captain of U.S.A. Speech Team in cultural exchange forums with U.S.S.R. (Nixon years)
Recognition by Optimist Club, Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) & American Businessmen's  Club, Voice of Democracy Award, AMBUCS chapter president. Past president of Republican club, delegate to numerous political conventions, former owner of political consulting firm and political printing and silk screening company, Chair at Dallas Republican National Convention, and personal letters of  appreciation from two U.S. presidents.  Officer and delegate to numerous District, State and National Conventions. Manager of Republican National Convention (President Reagan).

Wedding Ceremony Experience
Over 3,000 non-courthouse weddings since 1983 including radio, TV and stage. Have officiated both traditional and non-traditional ceremonies at homes, backyards, chapels & Victorian homes - plus during plays, in Texas Stadium 50 yard line, the Cotton Bowl on stage of a Rock Concert, for Young Country Radio, Ranger Stadium home plate - boats, marinas, area lakes, city facilities, malls ---

Judicial Background
Includes three 4 year terms as elected State of Texas Justice of the Peace and Judge in North Texas with criminal and civil jurisdiction. On an emergency basis also have sat on other benches on assignment. Victorious in 7 elections and retired from the bench with an undefeated election history. Authorized to conduct weddings as an official under the Texas Family Code Statutes anywhere in Texas. Former faculty member of the State of Texas Judicial Training Program.  Recognized by the United States Bar Association as best judicial training program in 1992. University of Texas law - Austin and Texas Wesleyan Law. 

Political activism included successfully litigating for the only mandatory permanent mandamus and injunction in state history against a North Texas county government for racial segregation in departments, successfully campaigned for the creation of the first Hispanic districts in Dallas County, and successfully obtaining orders concerning gender discrimination against a Fortune 500 company.  In the past, I was successful in having numerous judges removed from the bench by Texas Supreme Court removal or criminal prosecutions. I was a chief advocate for passage of the Texas statute requiring the impeachment of any judge or justice of the peace that refuses to conduct inter-racial marriages.  While sitting as a judge, as a pro bono matter I pursued mediation of the employment discharge of of an African-American (over his union's opposite) who threw a supervisor into a large trash compactor in response to discriminatory language - resulting in the largest back-pay award in U.S. history in the food industry to that date - as Texas labor laws allow independent employee remedy.  The majority of my social activism is pro bono. Possibly the most challenging was litigation against four Fortune 500 corporations leading to a file 9 feet thick. The law firms for the four companies gave our team the title of "the pro bonos from hell."

I have officiated approximately 75 same gender commitment ceremonies and given marriage license under my hand as a judge, minister or both (decision of the couple) if the couple requests. These are not recognized in the State of Texas as a "marriage," but most courts interprete the document as a binding civil contract. No official has been brave enough to challenge this practice (I have a bit of a reputation for a bad temper in political, governmental, judicial and corporate circles  in the fields of discrimination and corruption employing unusual and intense methods.) I will officiant marriage ceremonies for couples who prefer their marriage not be recorded (generally this is elderly couples for reasons of Medicare, Medicad and Social Sercurity) and have assisted couples (opposite or same gender) to prepare civil union contracts. I will not officiant a marriage ceremony or civil union if either of the couple are still under a marriage license to another person.

Ministerial & Theological Background
Theological studies at numerous accredited universities and seminaries since 1972 to date. Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel (Baptist) and as a non-denominational minister. Formal studies include Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Church of England - and non-denomination Christianity. Studies at accredited universities include Judaism and most major Eastern religions. I have officiated ceremonies in and as an emergency filled-in for vacations and emergencies for wedding cermonies as minister, deacon or clergy in Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Bible Church, Church of Christ, Jehovah's Witness and numerous independent Christian Churches and have filled-in as emergency minister in Baptist, Independent and non-denominational churches in the past. I have officiated Jewish-Christian ceremonies individually and in dual officiation with Rabbis. I have also done numerous child and adult baptisms in the past.   

Personal Profile
Age 56
Native North Texan

Hon. Mark Ovard
(This website was launched in 1998 and as of 2004 had over 20 million visitors from around the world. The ceremonies
 are used by most local officiants and worldwide. You are free to use these materials for you wedding, but may not
reproduce them without permission. I have retired from officiating weddings other than as an emergency fill-in. I truly
enjoyed the festive and joyous wedding events as a hobby and relaxation. However, the phone numbers on the website
direct you to resources for officiants and nearly all your special day needs. Good luck!)

24 hr. number at  (817) 797-7720

You may contact Mark Ovard at dfwx@hotmail.com

(for legal matters click here)

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