Bill Text: TX HR20 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church in Austin.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2025-03-06 - Reported enrolled [HR20 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HR20-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 20 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The members of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church in | ||
| Austin are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their church's | ||
| founding on February 16, 2025; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Third Baptist Church, as it was originally known, | ||
| was organized in 1875 by the Reverend C. Ward and 18 charter | ||
| members, who first met in the home of Elisa Hawkins; after the | ||
| congregation outgrew its first frame structure, a brick sanctuary | ||
| was erected in 1885 at the church's current location at East 10th | ||
| and San Marcos Streets; in the decades that followed, Ebenezer was | ||
| expanded, and the present building and education complex, a | ||
| parsonage, and various adjacent properties were added; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1938, under the direction of Virgie | ||
| Carrington-Dewitty, the church's Bright and Early Choir became the | ||
| first African American choir to perform on a commercial radio | ||
| program in Texas; today, members of all ages perform in six vocal | ||
| choirs and in a handbell choir, carrying on the congregation's | ||
| proud musical heritage; the church was recognized with the | ||
| placement of a Texas Historical Marker in 1976; and | ||
| WHEREAS, This venerable religious institution has played a | ||
| vital role in the community, providing its members with myriad | ||
| opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and outreach; the | ||
| congregation has benefited from the able leadership of a number of | ||
| dedicated pastors, including the Reverend Dr. Marvin C. Griffin, | ||
| who served the congregation for more than four decades and oversaw | ||
| the church's mortgage burning ceremony during its centennial | ||
| celebration; today, that tradition of service is continued by the | ||
| Reverend Dr. Ricky Freeman; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ebenezer Third Baptist Church has long served as a | ||
| source of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, and | ||
| its continued existence is a testament to the unwavering commitment | ||
| of its members and clergy, both past and present; now, therefore, be | ||
| it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ebenezer | ||
| Third Baptist Church and extend to the congregation sincere best | ||
| wishes for the future; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
| House of Representatives. | ||
| Cole | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 20 was adopted by the House on March | ||
| 6, 2025, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
