H.R. No. 233 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Earl Podolnick on November 15, 1992, 1-2 at the age of 76, has brought a great loss to the many friends and 1-3 relatives of this esteemed Austin resident; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Philadelphia, he was born on February 8, 1-5 1916, and was graduated from the University of California at Los 1-6 Angeles in 1938; and 1-7 WHEREAS, While in college, Mr. Podolnick met his bride-to-be, 1-8 the former Lena Novy, and the devoted couple were united in 1-9 marriage in 1940, the same year in which they moved to Austin and 1-10 became associated with Interstate Theatres, Inc.; and 1-11 WHEREAS, From 1943 to 1946, this patriotic gentleman proudly 1-12 served his country as a member of the United States Navy aboard the 1-13 destroyer USS Hughes; and 1-14 WHEREAS, After completing his military service, Mr. Podolnick 1-15 returned to Austin and in 1952 he became involved with the founding 1-16 of Trans-Texas Theatres, Inc.; named president of the organization 1-17 eight years later, he maintained offices in Dallas and Austin to 1-18 operate the 15 theatres owned by this successful enterprise 1-19 throughout the state; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Mr. Podolnick's many talents and abilities were 1-21 widely recognized through his active leadership in numerous 1-22 professional organizations, including the Texas Drive-In Theatre 1-23 Owners Association, the board of directors of the National 1-24 Association of Theatre Owners of Texas, and the National Theatre 2-1 Owners of America; and 2-2 WHEREAS, A dedicated civic leader as well, Mr. Podolnick was 2-3 a past president of the 20/20 Club, a board member of the United 2-4 Fund, a rotary club member for more than half a century, and a 2-5 member of Austin Lodge #12 AF & AM and the Ben Hur Shrine Temple of 2-6 Austin; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In addition, this admirable gentleman gave 2-8 generously of himself to benefit his community over the years 2-9 through his involvement as chairman of the Advisory Board of Seton 2-10 Medical Center, as a member of the first Texas Film Commission, as 2-11 a director of Texas State Bank and Republic Bank, as a founder of 2-12 the Travis Bank and Trust, and through his leadership on the 2-13 advisory board of the School of Communications at The University of 2-14 Texas at Austin; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Podolnick also was a highly regarded member of 2-16 the Jewish community in Austin, having served as president of 2-17 Temple Beth Israel and as a past president of the Jewish Community 2-18 Council of Austin; Mr. Podolnick and his wife were the first 2-19 members of the Prime Ministers Club for the State of Israel from 2-20 Texas in 1969 and were presented with The Lion of Judah Award by 2-21 Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin at a special ceremony held in 2-22 Austin in 1979; and 2-23 WHEREAS, Earl Podolnick was a valued member of his community 2-24 whose presence and accomplishments greatly enriched the lives of 2-25 all who knew him; though he will be deeply missed, he will long be 2-26 remembered by the many people whose lives he touched during his 2-27 years on this earth; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-2 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Earl Podolnick and 3-3 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 3-4 Lena Podolnick; to his daughters and son-in-law, Blossom Stern and 3-5 Marina and Joe Herring; to his son, Jay Aaron Podolnick; and to his 3-6 beloved grandchildren, Michael Herring, Michelle Herring, and Sara 3-7 Melanie Stern; and, be it further 3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-9 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-10 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-11 Earl Podolnick. 3-12 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-13 Earl Podolnick. 3-14 Wilson 3-15 H.R. No. 233 3-16 _______________________________ 3-17 Speaker of the House 3-18 I certify that H.R. No. 233 was unanimously adopted by a 3-19 rising vote of the House on March 11, 1993. 3-20 _______________________________ 3-21 Chief Clerk of the House