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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1021
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize the First Baptist Church in Austin on the occasion of |
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its 140th anniversary, which was celebrated April 22, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, The church was established as an independent |
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congregation in 1867 under the leadership of the Reverend |
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Jacob Fontaine; it is the second oldest Baptist church and the |
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first African American Baptist church in Austin and Travis County; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The original place the church met was in the rear |
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of a blacksmith shop; the congregation later moved to the |
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basement of the racially segregated First Baptist Church, where |
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the members of the congregation continued to worship until they |
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moved into their own building in 1873; and |
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WHEREAS, A second structure was built between 1895 and |
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1900, and this facility was used for 50 years; the church moved |
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to a third location in 1952 and finally moved to its present site |
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in 1966; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its venerable history, the First |
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Baptist Church has undertaken many worthy projects and missions |
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and has ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of the |
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members of the church and the community; it has been a source of |
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strength for its members during times of hardship and times of |
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bereavement; and |
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WHEREAS, Because of the wise stewardship of its previous |
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ministry and with the outstanding guidance of its current pastor, |
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the Reverend Dr. Henry L. McGee, the church has continued to grow |
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and to undertake many worthy projects; and |
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WHEREAS, Members of the First Baptist Church can take great |
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pride in the church's rich history, and the celebration of its |
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140th anniversary is an expression of the church's enduring |
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commitment to ministering to the spiritual needs of members of |
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the church and the community; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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80th Legislature, hereby congratulate the members and clergy of |
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First Baptist Church on its 140th anniversary and extend to them |
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best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the church as a memento of this special day. |
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Watson |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 14, 2007. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |