By Dukes H.R. No. 577
74R9896 KMP-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, On April 16, 1995, the residents of the Capital City
1-2 will have a rare opportunity to experience the talents of one of
1-3 the most acclaimed gospel singers in the country, Albertina Walker,
1-4 when she performs with the church choir of the St. James Baptist
1-5 Church at its 37th Annual Choir Anniversary; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Mrs. Walker, who recently received a 1995 Grammy
1-7 Award, embarked on her chosen career at an early age, deciding as a
1-8 young girl in Chicago that her mission would be to serve the Lord
1-9 by writing, arranging, and performing inspirational music; and
1-10 WHEREAS, During her initial years as a performer, this
1-11 remarkable woman performed with such gospel greats as Mahalia
1-12 Jackson and the Robert Anderson Singers, winning instant
1-13 recognition from both audiences and record executives for her
1-14 uplifting voice and spellbinding stage presence; she soon accepted
1-15 a recording contract that placed her in the company of Elyse Yancy,
1-16 Mellie Grace Daniels, and Oralee Hopkins Samson, the three women
1-17 with whom she created one of the first female gospel quartets in
1-18 music history; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Known as The Caravans, this extraordinary group
1-20 exploded onto the music scene, winning rave reviews for both the
1-21 style and musical power it brought to every performance, and was
1-22 widely acclaimed for expanding the boundaries of gospel performing
1-23 and recording; under the able leadership of Mrs. Walker, the
1-24 quartet also played an instrumental role in promoting the careers
2-1 of such renowned artists as Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, Inez
2-2 Andrews, and the Reverend James Cleveland; and
2-3 WHEREAS, During the 1960s, this magnificent singer
2-4 temporarily bid adieu to the stage and studio when she married and
2-5 began to direct her energies toward creating a warm and nurturing
2-6 home for her family; Mrs. Walker's unique style and flair were
2-7 greatly missed on the gospel scene, but with the urging of Reverend
2-8 James Cleveland, she decided to return to music and reemerged from
2-9 retirement a more vibrant, polished, and refined performer than
2-10 ever before; and
2-11 WHEREAS, With an exceptional voice that has graced more than
2-12 60 albums, Mrs. Walker has recorded countless songs that are today
2-13 considered classics of gospel and inspirational music, including
2-14 "You Believed in Me," "The Best is Yet to Come," and "Please Be
2-15 Patient With Me"; her music can be heard in the Steve Martin movie
2-16 Leap of Faith, and her most recent project, a dazzling anthology of
2-17 gospel standards, features a tribute to the father of gospel music,
2-18 Thomas Dorsey, as well as performances by Dorothy Norwood, John
2-19 McNiel, Rickey Dillard, and New Generation; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Over the years Mrs. Walker has garnered
2-21 international acclaim from her peers and admirers, and her 1995
2-22 Grammy Award is only the latest in a long line of honors; a
2-23 three-time recipient of the Gospel Music Workshop of America
2-24 Excellence Award and a member of the Gospel Music Workshop Hall of
2-25 Fame, she has earned numerous Grammy Award nominations as well as a
2-26 listing in Who's Who in Black America; and
2-27 WHEREAS, This outstanding musician was also honored by her
3-1 hometown of Chicago, which designated April 14, 1986, to be
3-2 Albertina Walker Day in the Windy City; she has won the Push
3-3 International Woman of the Year Award and today lends her name to
3-4 an award that is given annually at the Vision Awards ceremony for
3-5 excellence in gospel music; and
3-6 WHEREAS, Mrs. Walker is a woman who has attained tremendous
3-7 personal, spiritual, and professional success as a performer and
3-8 recording artist, and it is indeed appropriate that her
3-9 accomplishments be given special recognition and support at this
3-10 time; now, therefore, be it
3-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-12 Legislature hereby commend Albertina Walker for her outstanding
3-13 contributions to American gospel music and extend to her warmest
3-14 best wishes for an enjoyable visit to the Lone Star State; and, be
3-15 it further
3-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-17 prepared for Mrs. Walker as an expression of highest regard by the
3-18 Texas House of Representatives.