1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 760 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 recognize and honor the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Kerry Baker; 1-5 the Senate celebrates his installment as the first rabbi of Austin's 1-6 Congregation Kol Halev; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Rabbi Baker graduated cum laude from Colgate 1-8 University in 1972; afterwards, he attended Hebrew Union 1-9 College--Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, obtaining 1-10 his master of Hebrew Literature in 1975 and his ordination in 1977; 1-11 and 1-12 WHEREAS, After completing his pastoral counseling training 1-13 in New York, Rabbi Baker took up doctoral studies in the history 1-14 of religions at the University of California--Santa Barbara; he 1-15 received his certification in confluent education at Hebrew Union 1-16 College--Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Rabbi Baker is a devoted spiritual guide; his 1-18 philosophy embraces the Torah and its tradition of interpretation, 1-19 while encouraging the individual to take his or her own place in 1-20 that tradition of interpretation; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Rabbi Baker assumes leadership of a burgeoning 1-22 postdenominational congregation; the families of the Congregation 1-23 Kol Halev delight in the prospect of Rabbi Baker's leadership 1-24 and look forward to establishing an enduring presence in 2-1 Central Texas; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The Congregation Kol Halev will honor Rabbi Baker's 2-3 ascendency with a celebratory weekend; ceremonies will include 2-4 teachings by the congregation's first scholar-in-residence, 2-5 Dr. Martin Cohen, a gala, and a Family Education Program; and 2-6 WHEREAS, In addition to his service to the Congregation 2-7 Kol Halev, Rabbi Baker has been an invaluable asset to the Austin 2-8 community at large, serving on the mayor's clergy task force on 2-9 racial and religious reconciliation and as the Hillel rabbi at 2-10 The University of Texas at Austin; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Rabbi Baker is indeed an invaluable asset to the 2-12 Congregation Kol Halev, to the residents of Austin, and to the 2-13 State of Texas; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-15 76th Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to Rabbi Baker on 2-16 his being installed as rabbi of the Congregation Kol Halev; and, 2-17 be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-19 Rabbi Baker as a memento of this special occasion. 2-20 Barrientos 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 President of the Senate 2-23 I hereby certify that the above 2-24 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-25 on April 27, 1999. 2-26 ______________________________________ 2-27 Secretary of the Senate 2-28 ______________________________________ 2-29 Member, Texas Senate