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Henry Bell III, chamber chief operating officer, said the chamber had sold all 400 tickets to the event in the Tyler Area Senior Citizens Association Ornelas Activity Center.

Last year's T.B. Butler Award recipient Anita Ray presented Katz and Khalifa with the award. The T.B. Butler Award was established in memory of the founder of T.B. Butler Publishing Co. Inc., the late Judge T.B. Butler, and his son, the late Tom Butler Jr.

Katz, rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Tyler, and Khalifa, president of the East Texas Islamic Society and owner of Pyramid Homes, struck up a friendship, and last year they involved their respective congregations to build "Abraham's House," a Habitat for Humanity project for a Christian family, and a project in which Katz and Khalifa said the congregations found "common ground."

They have since taken the message of their faiths to Christian congregations to help others better understand them and clear up any misconceptions.

"What a shame it is that some of our world leaders could not be present, for they would hear about an idea which became a reality, an idea which could not come to fruition in many parts of our world, an idea not born out of selfishness, greed or malice, but rather a sincere desire to build an understanding among diverse cultures, to improve the Tyler community and help those in need by building a bridge," Ms. Ray said.

Katz, who became the seventh full-time rabbi at Congregation Beth El in 2003, noted with a bit of humor that the honor coincided with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, and the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.

"The fact is the two holidays coincide even though they're a day off," Katz said. "We're discussing that."

Katz was raised in Virginia Beach, Va. He studied in Israel during his junior year at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from George Mason University and his ordination from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 2003.

His other duties included full-time director of youth and social action activities at Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C., while doing graduate work in counseling at George Mason University.

While at Hebrew Union College he participated as a song leader for camps, youth groups and congregations in the Midwest. Katz was also song leader for a Progressive Jewish summer camp outside Minsk, Belarus, in the summer of 1999.

Khalifa introduced his daughters, who stood up to be recognized, and said they were the reason he works for unity and understanding.

"By their own choice, they've decided to wear Islamic dress," he said. "So I've decided I'm going to work hard to make Tyler the best place for everybody to be in. And that's why I do what I do."

Khalifa is a native of Egypt and came to America when he was 6 years old. His father was a medical doctor who relocated to Dallas.

He moved to East Texas after high school and attended Kilgore College, earning an associate's degree in engineering. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master's degree from the University of South Carolina.

Khalifa entered the home-building business in 1993 after working as a project and sales engineer. He holds the title of Graduate Master Builder, which he earned through the National Association of Home Builders, only one of a few hundred in the nation.

He is a member of Gov. Rick Perry's Texas Human Rights Commission and is active locally in the Tyler Ministerial Association, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and as a volunteer with the Tyler Police Department's chaplaincy program.

Khalifa received the Individual Award for Non-Violent Social Change from the Martin Luther King Jr. March Association in January 2005.

WINDSOR AWARD

Jay Ferguson, last year's W.C. Windsor Award recipient, presented the award to Bergfeld. The chamber's W.C. Windsor Award is presented in conjunction with the W.C. Windsor family to honor an outstanding Tyler citizen under age 40.

Ferguson said Bergfeld, the owner of Bergfeld Commercial Realty, has influenced many people and has shown a commitment to make the community better.

He said Bergfeld "has served a wide spectrum of not-for-profit organizations benefiting children, families, business and the community at large. In addition, he is highly involved in service to historical preservation and the downtown area."

Bergfeld credited his wife, Shawn, and his parents for making a big difference in his life. His parents taught him about opportunities that existed in Tyler.

"I will always feel like this town is really special and I will do everything I can to make it a better place," he said.

Bergfeld is a fifth-generation Tylerite. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Southern Methodist University and the South Texas School of Law.

Bergfeld has served as a board member of Historic Tyler Inc., PATH-Community Homes and Ducks Unlimited, where he served two terms as chairman. He serves on the chamber and Salvation Army boards and is president of the Tyler Independent School District board of trustees.

CHAMBER AWARDS

Venu Rao, director of information technology for Trinity Mother Frances Health System, accepted the Volunteer of the Year Award, the recipient of which is chosen from among four Volunteer of the Quarter honorees.

Jeff Austin, retiring chamber board chairman, said the award goes to "one person who has given unselfishly of his or her time and talents to promote the mission and work of the chamber."

Last year's Small Business of the Year Award recipient Rocky Gill of Express Personnel presented this year's award to Travel Masters. Owner Sharon Howell accepted the award.

"It's not about me, it's about this group sitting over here," Ms. Howell said, recognizing her staff.

Bill Hartley of Southside Bank, last year's Large Business of the Year, presented this year's award to KLTV.

Brad Streit, vice president and general manager, thanked viewers and advertisers.

"What an incredible honor," Streit said. "And, Bill, following in your footsteps, I think, made it even more special."

The large and small business awards, which the chamber started last year, were to recognize businesses that gave selflessly in helping promote the chamber's mission to enhance the business environment, economic well-being and quality of life in Tyler.

Austin noted the chamber board presented Jared Bryant, server at the Texas Roadhouse, the new Service Excellence Award for Tourism during its September meeting. The chamber honored four quarterly recipients of this award, and chose one to receive the award for the year.

Also Tuesday, guests viewed a video presentation of highlights of the previous chamber year. It included this past year's Contact Club Award recipients: Charlott Mapes, Paula Fambrough, Sheila Billingsley, Nancy Brown Larsen, Micheal Lavender, Chris Mills, Blu Monday, Stan Nolley, Kathy Rainwater and "T" Derfelt.

The video presentation also noted Ms. Fambrough and Barbara Renicker, who received the Johnny Wright Lifetime Award. Austin noted Wright's presence at the meeting.

Wright, chamber board chairman 50 years ago, founded the Contact Club.

Austin introduced retiring chamber directors Leslie Bookman, Dean Cagle, Kevin Eltife, Ms. Billingsley, Bill Morales, Robert Owens and Preston Smith.

He also introduced 2005-2006 chairman Walter Wilhelmi, who thanked Austin and previous chairman Mike Thomas for helping lead the Vision 2010 process and create a long-range organizational plan for the chamber.

Wilhelmi introduced the 2005-2006 officers: Tony Cain, chairman-elect; Dr. Aubrey Sharpe, Area Development Council chairman; Ms. Mapes, Business Development Council chairman; Robert Hancock, Membership Services Council chairman; and Gill, treasurer.

Brookshire's Catering served the dinner. Sponsors were Austin Bank, The Genecov Group, Hibernia National Bank, Carrier Corp., Cox Communications, Prothro, Wilhelmi & Co., SBC Communications and Southside Bank.

Previous T.B. Butler Award recipients are:

2003-2000: 2003 Anita Ardinger Ray; 2002 Dr. David Nichols; 2001 Kevin Eltife; 2000 Joseph Z. and Louise Ornelas.

1999-1990: 1999 Elizabeth "Fritter" McNally; 1998 Cowan Center project at the University of Texas at Tyler; 1997 Dr. George A. Hurst; 1996 Norman Shtofman; 1995 Herbert C. Buie; 1994 Randall L. Roberts and John Tyler Football Team (Special); 1993 Dr. James M. Vaughn; 1992 Junior League of Tyler; 1991 B.G. Hartley and Billie Hartley; 1990 Don Chaney.

1989-1980: 1989 George W. Oge; 1988 Lottie Ray Caldwell; 1987 Buddy Story; 1986 United Rubber Workers Local 746; 1985 James W. Arnold, Willie Lee Glass; 1984 James Borgerding; 1983 James C. Wynne Jr.; 1982 Louise Lindsey Merrick; 1981 James W. Fair; 1980 Charles L. Childers.

1979-1970: 1979 C.C. McDonald; 1978 Shirley Simons Jr.; 1977 Dick Hightower, Earl Campbell (Special); 1976 William M. Shamburger, Kelly Spratlin (Special); 1975 Harry Loftis; 1974 Isadore Roosth; 1973 John A. Warner, Frank Martin (Special); 1972 Floyd Wagstaff; 1971 Henry M. Bell Jr.; 1970 Mrs. W.G. Watson.

1969-1960: 1969 D.K. Caldwell, Robert J. Phillips; 1968 A.W. Riter Jr.; 1967 Earl Andrews; 1966 Mrs. W.C. Windsor; 1965 Connally McKay, F.O. Penn; 1964 J. Harold Stringer; 1963 Jerry Nasits; 1962 George Pirtle; 1961 Wilton Fair; 1960 Tom W. Joyner, Dr. Harry E. Jenkins (Special).

1959-1950: 1959 M.J. Harvey; 1958 Joe Zeppa; 1957 Watson W. Wise; 1956 Memory of Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Grelling (cash gift to Tyler schools); Dr. Porter Bailes Sr.; 1955 J.S. Hudnall; 1954 H.J. McKenzie; 1953 Smith P. Reynolds; 1952 J.H. Calhoun; 1951 W.C. Windsor; W.E. Stewart; 1950 Johnny Wright, Mrs. Alex Woldert Sr. (Special).

1949-1940: 1949 Claude Holley; Hugh E. White; 1948 Galloway Calhoun; 1947 Foster Blaisdell; 1946 Wilton Daniel, Dr. Robert Hill (Special); 1945 Roy E. Smith; 1944 None; 1943 Troop F Cavalry; 1942 Glenn Flinn; 1941 R.W. Fair; 1940 W.A. Pounds.

1939-1929: 1939 S.P. Burke; 1938 R.L. Tayloe; 1937 Tom Swann; 1936 Gus Pinkerton; 1935 H.M. Bell; 1934 T.B. Ramey; 1933 Mrs. Henry M. Eagle; 1932 E.P. McKenna; 1931 S.A. Lindsey; 1930 W.M. Roberts; 1929 Gus F. Taylor.

W.C. WINDSOR AWARD

Previous W.C. Windsor Award recipients are:

2003-2000: 2003 Jay Ferguson; 2002 Jason Holmes; 2001 Lorei Threlkeld Knight; 2000 James Wynne III.

1999-1990: 1999 Mike Thomas; 1998 Nelson Clyde IV and Joey Seeber; 1997 Andy Navarro; 1996 Robert Peltier; 1995 Susan Davis; 1994 Loren Bennett; 1993 Kevin Eltife; 1992 Jan McCauley; 1991 Jerry Woolverton; 1990 Andy Guinn.

1989-1980: 1989 Barbara R. Bass; Tom M. Woldert; 1988 A.W. "Whit" Riter III; 1987 Lonny Uzzell; 1986 David Bibby; 1985 Chris Woldert; 1984 Henry Bell III; 1983 Lee Loftis Jr.; 1982 Phil Hurley; 1981 J. Cris Pinkerton; 1980 Greg Nordyke.

1979-1970: 1979 Franklin Shaffer; 1978 John Tindel; 1977 Art Johnson; 1976 Tommy Butler; 1975 James N. Daughtry; 1974 Stuart Chesley; 1973 Clark C. "Corky" Nelson; 1972 Joe Elliott Jr.; 1971 Robert W. Stone; 1970 Kenneth Barron.

1969-1960: 1969 Dr. Patrick Thomas; 1968 Richard Harvey; 1967 J. Robert Dobbs; 1966 James M. Scurlock; 1965 Tyler Junior Chamber; 1964 Frank Sewell Jr.; 1963 W. Abe Pounds Jr.; 1962 Dr. John Turner Jr.; 1961 Henry M. Bell Jr.; 1960 Byron Tunnell.

1959-1952: 1959 Horace Clarkston; 1958 A.W. "Dub" Riter Jr.; 1957 Smith Reynolds Jr.; 1956 Calvin Clyde Jr.; 1955 William Streckert; 1954 Harold Lawler; 1953 Sam Gibbons; 1952 Fred Bosworth.

Greg Junek is Business editor. He can be reached at 903.596.6280. e-mail: business@tylerpaper.com