SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11

WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence B. Harkless is being inducted into the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame on July 15, 2023, for his achievements in football; and

WHEREAS, Raised in the Mayflower community in Tatum, Lawrence Harkless was the signal caller for the 1966 Mayflower High School football team that advanced to the state final under the guidance of his father, head coach Algie P. Harkless; completing his high school career at Tatum High School, he became the first Black student athlete to play quarterback in East Texas, and he led the Panthers to a regional championship victory; after attending North Texas State University, he earned a bachelor's degree and a doctor of podiatric medicine degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco; and

WHEREAS, Distinguishing himself over the course of a 30-year career, Dr. Harkless worked at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, served as a professor in the Department of Orthopedics at Bexar County Hospital, and was the founding dean of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine; moreover, he was the interim dean of the first school of podiatric medicine in the Lone Star State at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Harkless has received the UT Health San Antonio Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence and the Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award from the American Diabetes Association; in 1995, he was appointed by Governor George W. Bush to the Texas Diabetes Council; he is a deacon at Second Baptist Church in San Antonio, and he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Gerry, his children, Erin and Lawrence, and his grandchildren, Eliana, Zola, Elijah, Charles, and Ethan; and

WHEREAS, Through his accomplishments in football and in the health field, Dr. Lawrence Harkless has set an outstanding example to which others may aspire, and he is indeed deserving of this notable honor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Lawrence B. Harkless on his induction into the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Dr. Harkless as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 12, 2023.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate