R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Throughout 1999, members of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church
 1-2     in Houston will celebrate the centennial of their congregation, and
 1-3     this momentous event indeed merits special legislative recognition;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Mt. Sinai was founded in October 1899, when 11
 1-6     charter members gathered at the home of Allen and Electra Nelson;
 1-7     with the Reverend John Burden serving as pastor, the group
 1-8     worshiped temporarily at a shelter on the corner of Eighth and
 1-9     Waverly streets until a permanent structure could be completed on
1-10     Nicholson Street; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The church was destroyed by fire in 1926, but its
1-12     dynamic membership built anew at the corner of West Eighth and
1-13     Lawrence streets, and the congregation has continued to experience
1-14     steady growth through the years; and
1-15           WHEREAS, In 1964 Dr. Samuel Jackson Gilbert was appointed to
1-16     lead the church, and in 1995 he was joined by a copastor, his son,
1-17     Dr. Samuel Jackson Gilbert II; together with an enthusiastic and
1-18     determined congregation, this father-son team has established a
1-19     strong and effective presence in the Heights community; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Their outstanding roster of guest speakers, critical
1-21     outreach ministries, and a host of other noteworthy projects have
1-22     proven the enduring vitality of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, and it is
1-23     a great pleasure to recognize the church's centennial at this time;
1-24     now, therefore, be it
 2-1           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-2     Legislature hereby congratulate the members of Mt. Sinai Baptist
 2-3     Church on the 100th anniversary of their church's founding and
 2-4     extend to all those associated with this exceptional organization
 2-5     best wishes for a memorable celebration.
                                                                      Dutton
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 1261 was adopted by the House on May
         27, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House