H.R. No. 635
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The death of Dr. Emmett Conrad, a noted physician
1-2 and Dallas community leader who passed away on April 24, 1993, has
1-3 profoundly saddened his family and friends and is a great loss not
1-4 only to the community but to all of the people of Texas; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Known for his dedication to public service as well
1-6 as for his compassion as a great humanitarian, Dr. Conrad devoted
1-7 much of his life to the struggle against social inequity, breaking
1-8 down barriers that impeded the community's progress toward true
1-9 equality of opportunity for everyone; and
1-10 WHEREAS, A trailblazer in his chosen profession, he joined
1-11 the staff of St. Paul Hospital in 1955, at a time when there were
1-12 no black doctors working in medical facilities outside Dallas's
1-13 African-American community; and
1-14 WHEREAS, He proved to be a consummate professional, setting a
1-15 worthy example by his ability, steadfast dedication, and
1-16 perseverance in a demanding career, and by 1981 he had risen to the
1-17 top as St. Paul's chief of staff, where as chief physician he
1-18 continued to command the respect and admiration of all his
1-19 colleagues; and
1-20 WHEREAS, His long-standing record of community involvement
1-21 was a natural extension of the abiding concern for the well-being
1-22 of his fellowman that had led him to pursue a medical career, and
1-23 it also reflected his belief in the promise of a free and open
1-24 society where everyone could share equally in all of the
2-1 opportunities made possible through educational attainment; and
2-2 WHEREAS, In 1967, he again broke new ground when he became
2-3 the first African-American to win a seat on the Dallas Independent
2-4 School District board of trustees in a citywide election, and he
2-5 went on to serve 10 years on the school board; and
2-6 WHEREAS, His tenure on the school board coincided with the
2-7 critical and potentially volatile period when the school district
2-8 was implementing a court-ordered desegregation of the Dallas public
2-9 schools, but it also gave Dr. Conrad an opportunity to demonstrate
2-10 again his exceptional leadership ability; his firm, steady voice of
2-11 reason helped maintain calm throughout the community and united the
2-12 different factions to work together for the good of all; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Dr. Conrad then brought his leadership, dedication,
2-14 and the experience he had gained during his service on the Dallas
2-15 school board to bear on the quality of education statewide when he
2-16 won a seat on the State Board of Education in 1982; he worked
2-17 tirelessly for educational reform in Texas and was a staunch
2-18 advocate for prekindergarten programs, teacher testing, and
2-19 changing curriculum emphasis from athletic performance to academic
2-20 achievement; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Despite the wide-ranging commitments that
2-22 characterized Dr. Conrad's long and distinguished career, this
2-23 caring public servant never forgot the community where it all
2-24 began, and he maintained an office in the South Dallas community
2-25 until the year before he died; and
2-26 WHEREAS, His death brought to a sad close a public service
2-27 career that spanned nearly four decades and that touched the lives
3-1 of countless Texans; though he is gone from us now, his legacy of
3-2 visionary leadership and his many noble contributions in the fields
3-3 of medicine, education, and social service will long endure as a
3-4 fitting memorial to this outstanding individual; now, therefore, be
3-5 it
3-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-7 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Dr. Emmett Conrad and extend
3-8 deepest sympathy to the members of his family, to his friends and
3-9 admirers, and to all those who have mourned the passing of this
3-10 fine man; and, be it further
3-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-12 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-13 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-14 Dr. Emmett Conrad.
3-15 Hudson
3-16 Davis
3-17 Jones of Dallas
3-18 Hudson
3-19 Davis
3-20 Jones of Dallas