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.