By Barrientos                                         S.C.R. No. 76

         75R11286 JHS-D                           

                                CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The members of the First Baptist Church of Austin

 1-2     will celebrate the 150th anniversary of their church this year, and

 1-3     the Texas Legislature is proud to join in honoring this worthy

 1-4     institution; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Established in 1847 by the Reverend Robert Hay

 1-6     Taliaferro, First Baptist Church began with just seven members;

 1-7     today, the church is the spiritual home for hundreds of individuals

 1-8     committed to worshipping God and spreading His message; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, The history of the church reflects the devotion of

1-10     the many congregants who have gathered together in the name of the

1-11     Lord; since its original incarnation in the old frame Capitol

1-12     building, the church has relocated several times due to fire,

1-13     rebuilding, and the steady growth of the congregation, yet the

1-14     enthusiasm and faithfulness of its members have never wavered; and

1-15           WHEREAS, First Baptist Church of Austin has long been a

1-16     leader in the promotion of social justice and equality of the

1-17     sexes; the integration of peoples of differing ethnicity and the

1-18     encouragement of women in organizations such as the Women's

1-19     Missionary Union and the Young Women's Association have been

1-20     essential elements of the church's proud heritage; and

1-21           WHEREAS, In addition to supporting such groups and

1-22     organizations as Boy Scout Troop 17, this vital institution has

1-23     funded missionary efforts in China, South America, Mexico, and

1-24     Africa and has assisted in the establishment of 18 Austin missions,

 2-1     all of which have evolved into churches of long-standing community

 2-2     service; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, First Baptist Church of Austin has long been a

 2-4     sanctuary for individuals from all walks of life, and its

 2-5     remarkable legacy continues to inspire and encourage many residents

 2-6     of the Capitol City; now, therefore, be it

 2-7           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-8     hereby commemorate the sesquicentennial of the First Baptist Church

 2-9     of Austin and extend best wishes to the members of this venerable

2-10     institution on this momentous occasion; and, be it further

2-11           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-12     prepared for the congregation of First Baptist Church of Austin as

2-13     an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives

2-14     and Senate.