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