86R8837 BK-D
By: Hughes S.C.R. No. 15
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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
her husband decided to homeschool, and 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, and testified on behalf
of home education on numerous occasions; 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 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
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 House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Virginia Baker.