Bill Text: TX SR626 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of Virginia Nancy Birt Baker.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-25 - Reported enrolled [SR626 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SR626-Enrolled.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 626
In Memory
of
Virginia Nancy Birt Baker
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with
the passing of Virginia Nancy Birt Baker on January 20, 2019, at
the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, The former Ginny Birt was born on August 22, 1929,
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Gladys and Charles Birt, and she
grew up with the companionship of a sister, Catherine; she moved
with her family to Texas at age 10 and went on to attend Highland
Park High School and Southern Methodist University, where she
graduated with a degree in interior design; and
WHEREAS, Seeking an opportunity to see the world, she
traveled to Europe to work as a civilian for the United States
Army and met her future husband, Charles "Chet" Baker, while in
Gelnhausen, Germany; the couple wed in 1956, and over the course
of a rewarding marriage that spanned 62 years, they became the
parents of four treasured children, Juliette, Christopher,
Nancy, and Matthew; later in life, Mrs. Baker was affectionately
known as "Grammar" to her 19 grandchildren and 13
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Mrs. Baker served as the textbooks
chair for the Daughters of the American Revolution, a role in
which she evaluated public school textbooks and testified
numerous times before the State Textbook Committee; out of a
strong desire to ensure that their children received a quality
education, she and Mr. Baker decided to homeschool, and with the
financial support and encouragement of her husband, Mrs. Baker
became a tireless advocate for that method of instruction,
publishing Teaching Your Children at Home, one of the first
manuals for parents; in addition, she spoke at homeschool
seminars and conferences in many states, wrote for national
homeschool publications, testified on behalf of home education
on numerous occasions, and was well-known for compiling a leaflet
titled You Ask Me Why?, which was distributed to tens of
thousands of legislators, parents, and educators across the
nation; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mrs. Baker received several
notable honors, including Trailblazers Awards from the Texas
Home Educators and the Pioneer Award and the Taking a Stand in
Texas award from the Texas Home School Coalition; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Baker was also active with the Reading
Reform Foundation and was a frequent speaker at its seminars; she
was a longtime member of such societies as the Magna Charta
Dames, the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, and the
Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, and her research and writing
covered genealogy, politics, history, and biblical studies; and
WHEREAS, Ginny Baker generously shared her time,
knowledge, and expertise in her quest to empower parents to make
the best decisions for their children's education, and she will
forever be remembered with deep admiration and affection by her
loved ones and by those whose lives were touched by her work; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Virginia Nancy
Birt Baker and extend heartfelt sympathy to her relatives and
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Ginny Baker.
Hughes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 25, 2019, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate