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