By Ellis H.R. No. 499 77R8405 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Wendell Baker, Sr., of Huntsville is an accomplished 1-2 Texan whose extensive contributions to his community, state, and 1-3 nation are all the more remarkable for the considerable barriers he 1-4 overcame; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A graduate of Sam Houston High School at the age of 1-6 16, Mr. Baker attended Samuel Huston College in Austin, where his 1-7 prodigious musical abilities earned him a scholarship and the 1-8 chance to meet such legendary figures as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and 1-9 Jackie Robinson while traveling as a member of a sextet to raise 1-10 money for the school; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Baker served in the United States Army during 1-12 World War II; although trained as a surgical technician, he worked 1-13 as a medical administrator because of the scarcity of personnel 1-14 with any college education; and 1-15 WHEREAS, After completing his military obligation, he 1-16 returned to his native Texas and earned a bachelor's degree in 1-17 chemistry at Texas Southern University; for the next 12 years, 1-18 Mr. Baker taught sciences in the Huntsville school district, where 1-19 he used innovative teaching methods to make up for a lack of 1-20 laboratory equipment and other teaching materials; through his 1-21 determined efforts, his students performed well on exams in 1-22 comparison with schools that had proper classroom equipment; and 1-23 WHEREAS, When he built the first brick home in Huntsville, an 1-24 endeavor that was met with much resistance, Mr. Baker's teaching 2-1 contract was not renewed; he was hired as one of the first African 2-2 Americans to work as a chemical engineer for Goodyear Tire and 2-3 Rubber Company in Beaumont, laying the foundation for others to 2-4 have similar career opportunities; this multitalented professional 2-5 enjoyed a successful 23-year career in the oil industry and now 2-6 owns and operates BaCorp, Inc., an installation and contract 2-7 service, with his son; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Baker has long been a community activist; 2-9 committed to the cause of equal rights in education, he played a 2-10 significant role in the desegregation of Sam Houston State 2-11 University on June 10, 1964; in addition, he was instrumental in 2-12 the formation of the Walker County Voters League; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Baker's civic accomplishments also include 2-14 involvement in repairing city streets, certifying local police 2-15 officers, and developing a housing project and the Walker County 2-16 Housing Board; and 2-17 WHEREAS, With his fervent desire to better his community for 2-18 the benefit of everyone, Mr. Baker has had a positive impact on 2-19 countless people, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute to him 2-20 at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby honor Wendell Baker, Sr., on his lifetime of 2-23 contributions to the Huntsville community and the State of Texas 2-24 and extend to him sincere best wishes for happiness and good 2-25 fortune in his future endeavors; and, be it further 2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-27 prepared for Mr. Baker as an expression of high regard by the Texas 3-1 House of Representatives.