By: Bivins S.R. No. 81 1-1 By: Bivins S.R. No. 81 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing the Temple B'nai Israel in Amarillo on the grand 1-5 occasion of its 70th anniversary, which is being celebrated 1-6 May 23, 1997; and 1-7 WHEREAS, The Temple B'nai Israel has its roots in the first 1-8 celebration of High Holy Days that took place at the Eagle Lodge 1-9 Hall on Polk Street and was attended by 10 people; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The first actual Jewish congregation was 1-11 established in 1913, and services were held in the old Webster 1-12 Building on Polk Street; land on Taylor Street was purchased 1-13 for the first Jewish temple in Amarillo on May 23, 1927, and 1-14 the temple was dedicated November 10, 1929; and 1-15 WHEREAS, A parsonage was constructed on Polk Street in 1948, 1-16 a Sunday school building was dedicated in 1951, and land where 1-17 the current temple is located on Albert was purchased in 1960; 1-18 and 1-19 WHEREAS, Today, the temple has grown to 80 family members, 1-20 including the mayor of Amarillo, Kel Seliger, and the president 1-21 of the school board, Richard Weinberger; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The outstanding leadership of Rabbi John Feldman 1-23 has been a blessing to temple members; a man of spiritual depth 2-1 and dedication, Rabbi Feldman has prayed for and counselled his 2-2 congregation members during their hardships, and his guidance 2-3 has brought enlightenment and hope to many; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The Temple B'nai Israel has become an invaluable 2-5 source of strength for its members, and it is a symbol of 2-6 stability and a source of pride to the Amarillo community; now, 2-7 therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-9 75th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to Rabbi Feldman 2-10 and to members of the Temple B'nai Israel on the jubilant 2-11 occasion of the temple's 70th anniversary; and, be it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-13 the temple as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-14 ______________________________________ 2-15 President of the Senate 2-16 I hereby certify that the above 2-17 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-18 on January 29, 1997. 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 Secretary of the Senate 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 Member, Texas Senate