SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 646

WHEREAS, Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis of Congregation Kol Ami in Flower Mound served as Chaplain of the Day for the Texas Senate on April 3, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Dennis earned undergraduate degrees in education and nursing and worked as a registered nurse before entering the rabbinate; he was ordained at Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion and subsequently served as assistant rabbi at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation; since becoming rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, he has overseen the implementation of innovative synagogue programming, which has included incentive-based Jewish learning initiatives for adults and children and an alternative Shabbat meditation service that incorporates a labyrinth; and

WHEREAS, An adjunct professor of rabbinic literature in the Jewish studies program at the University of North Texas, Rabbi Dennis teaches courses on the Bible, Kabbalah, and modern Israel; he has published articles and newspaper columns on a wide range of theological topics, and his book The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism was a finalist for both the National Jewish Book Award and the Association of Jewish Libraries Book Award in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Exceptionally active in his community of faith, Rabbi Dennis has given generously of his time and talents to the University of North Texas Jewish and Israel Studies Program Steering Committee, North Texas Hillel, the Texas Health Attending Clergy Association, and the Flower Mound/Lewisville Ministerial Alliance; moreover, he has volunteered as a police chaplain for the City of Flower Mound; in all his endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Robin, and he takes great pride in his two sons, Avi and Micah; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis has inspired countless individuals with his message of faith and goodwill, and it is a pleasure to have welcomed him to the Texas Senate; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby honor Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis for his service as Chaplain of the Day and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Rabbi Dennis as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Taylor of Collin

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 20, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate