By: Barrientos S.R. No. 657 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-3 welcome Albertina Walker, the 1995 Grammy Award Winner, who will 1-4 be performing with the Saint James Baptist Church Choir for its 1-5 37th Annual Choir Anniversary on April 16, 1995; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A living legend, Albertina Walker is an acknowledged 1-7 star in the gospel music world; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Her love for music began at an early age; during her 1-9 formative years growing up in Chicago, she discovered that serving 1-10 the Lord through song would be her primary mission in life; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Early in her professional singing career, Albertina 1-12 performed with the great gospel performers such as Mahalia Jackson 1-13 and the renowned Robert Anderson Singers; she was offered a record 1-14 contract with three other women, and this group evolved into the 1-15 original Caravans; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The Caravans were one of the first female gospel 1-17 quartets and they had a dazzling style; under Albertina's 1-18 leadership, other singers such as Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, 1-19 and Inez Andrews were discovered and nurtured; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Albertina married and directed her energies toward 1-21 being a homemaker; her unique style and flair were missed on the 1-22 gospel scene, and after receiving several overtures, she returned 1-23 to the gospel music world; and 2-1 WHEREAS, She has made more than 60 albums which include 2-2 classics such as "The Best Is Yet to Come," "Please Be Patient 2-3 with Me," and "You Believed in Me"; her records and performances 2-4 were a big hit with fans and the gospel music industry; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Throughout her career, she has earned seven 2-6 Grammy Award nominations, three Gospel Music Workshop of America 2-7 Excellence Awards, including being inducted into the Gospel Music 2-8 Workshop of America Hall of Fame in 1991, and a listing in Who's 2-9 Who in Black America; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Her latest release is her life testimony entitled 2-11 "He Keeps on Blessing Me"; this is a brilliant combination of 2-12 gospel favorites from "Yes God Is Real" and "Nobody But You Lord," 2-13 to tributes to the father of gospel music, Thomas Dorsey, that 2-14 include "Jesus Is The Light" and "Angels Keep Watching Over Me"; 2-15 and 2-16 WHEREAS, The combination of this acclaimed gospel singer and 2-17 the renowned Saint James Baptist Church Choir is sure to be an 2-18 entertainment that will be beautiful and memorable; now, therefore, 2-19 be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-21 74th Legislature, hereby commend and applaud Albertina Walker 2-22 and the Saint James Baptist Church Choir on the glorious occasion 2-23 of its 37th Annual Choir Anniversary; and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her 2-25 as an expression of the highest esteem of the Texas Senate. 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 President of the Senate 3-3 I hereby certify that the above 3-4 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-5 on April 10, 1995. 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 Secretary of the Senate 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 Member, Texas Senate