TITLE: Congratulating Kitty Tine Baker on her selection as an Exemplary Woman of Irving.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Kitty Tine Baker on her selection as an Exemplary Woman of Irving.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Kitty Tine Baker was honored at the second annual Exemplary Women of Irving High Tea event on November 4, 2012, and that occasion provided a welcome opportunity to acknowledge her myriad contributions to the community; and WHEREAS, Born in Suriname and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mrs. Baker worked for 18 years as an on-air host and producer at radio stations in Vermont, New York, and Mississippi before settling in Irving around 1970; after retiring, she began to devote herself to volunteer work, and she has built an impressive record of achievement in the years since; and WHEREAS, Foremost among her initiatives is the Irving Senior Arts Program, which Mrs. Baker founded in 1995; ISAP organizes outings for senior citizens so that they can more easily enjoy plays, concerts, and dance recitals throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area; as part of its mission, the program secures approximately 3,500 mostly complimentary tickets to live performances each year and arranges transportation to and from the events for the program participants; now serving some 500 people, ISAP also provides opportunities for its members to get involved in projects and fund-raising activities that benefit various arts and community groups; and WHEREAS, Since 2002, Mrs. Baker has organized and hosted live entertainment twice a month at the Country Lane Seniors Community in McKinney, where she is affectionately known as "Ms. Kitty" to the grateful residents; in 2012, she expanded the program to include performances in Waxahachie; her other civic contributions have included service as an ambassador for the Greater Irving--Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the board for the Entertainment Series of Irving; Mrs. Baker is also active in the Irving Book Club and the Christian Women's Association; in all her endeavors, she enjoys the love and support of her husband, Leo, to whom she has been married for 35 years, and she takes pride in her four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Baker's outstanding efforts have been recognized with numerous honors; nominated for the Governor's Award for Volunteerism on three occasions, she was selected as first runner-up in 2000; she received the Irving Parks and Recreation Superstar Award in 1996 and the Irving Convention and Visitor's Bureau High Spirited Citizen Award in 1998, and the Greater Irving--Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce named her Volunteer of the Year in 2009; moreover, her long list of official tributes includes the Irving Woman of the Year accolade and membership in the Irving Women's Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, Kitty Baker has generously shared her time, energy, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of seniors and to support local civic and charitable groups, and her accomplishments are greatly appreciated by her fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Kitty Tine Baker on her selection as one of the Exemplary Women of Irving and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in her important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mrs. Baker as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Harper-Brown Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 209 was adopted by the House on February 18, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House