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