By: Wilson H.R. No. 233
73R4059 PAN-D
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 Yitzak 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.