R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes great pride 1-2 in congratulating Rabbi Kerry Baker on his installation as rabbi at 1-3 Congregation Kol Halev, for this spiritual and celebratory occasion 1-4 indeed merits special legislative recognition; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The Austin congregation held its first service in 1-6 December 1997 and is one of the fastest growing in Central Texas, 1-7 with more than 125 families now in attendance; the Congregation Kol 1-8 Halev serves as a commendable sign of the strength and vibrancy of 1-9 the Jewish faith in the Lone Star State; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A cum laude graduate of Colgate University, Rabbi 1-11 Baker was ordained through the Hebrew Union College-Jewish 1-12 Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York, where he took prizes 1-13 in Hebrew and Jewish Thought; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Eminently qualified as a spiritual leader, he has 1-15 pastoral counseling training from the William Alanson White 1-16 Institute in New York, certification in confluent education from 1-17 HUC-JIR in Los Angeles, and doctoral studies in the history of 1-18 religions at the University of California in Santa Barbara; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Rabbi Baker brings to his post a wealth of valuable 1-20 outreach and ministerial experience as well; he was a 10-year 1-21 member of the Community of University Ministers, served as rabbi 1-22 for the Hillel at The University of Texas at Austin, and was asked 1-23 to serve on the Austin Mayor's Clergy Task Force on Racial and 1-24 Religious Reconciliation; and 2-1 WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Rabbi Baker and his wife, 2-2 Lynda, have been blessed with two children, Ilana and Ben; the 2-3 close and loving bonds this exemplary family share will no doubt 2-4 serve to further the respect and admiration Kol Halev members hold 2-5 for Rabbi Baker; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The installation ceremonies are scheduled for May 2-7 14-16, 1999, with the congregation's scholar-in-residence, Dr. 2-8 Martin Cohen, leading the Friday night sermon and Saturday 2-9 morning's D'var Torah; a gala dinner that night, followed by a 2-10 program Sunday morning, guarantee that the weekend will indeed be a 2-11 busy and important one, filled with the solemnity and joy the 2-12 investiture of a new rabbi brings; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby congratulate Rabbi Kerry Baker on his 2-15 installation at the Congregation Kol Halev and extend to him and 2-16 all those associated with the congregation warmest best wishes for 2-17 great happiness and success in the years ahead; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for Rabbi Baker to commemorate this grand event and as an 2-20 expression of highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Naishtat Greenberg _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 785 was adopted by the House on May 8, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House