H.R. No. 781 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The family and friends of Dr. Sylvester Bradford 1-2 were profoundly saddened by the death of this fine gentleman on 1-3 February 22, 1993, at the age of 63, and his passing has been a 1-4 tragic loss to the Austin community he served with great dedication 1-5 and compassion for many years; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born on June 29, 1929, in Pflugerville, he was 1-7 graduated in 1948 from the old Anderson High School, which at the 1-8 time was the main institution for secondary education for Austin's 1-9 African-American community; he then attended Huston-Tillotson 1-10 College before earning his degree in optometry from Illinois 1-11 College in 1954; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Returning to Austin after receiving his degree, Dr. 1-13 Bradford opened a private practice as an optometrist, and in doing 1-14 so this exemplary individual also opened further the doors of 1-15 opportunity for others in his community to seek meaningful careers 1-16 as professional men and women; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Only the fifth African-American to gain 1-18 certification as an optometrist in Texas, he not only earned 1-19 widespread respect and admiration of his colleagues, but also set a 1-20 sterling example for others in his community by his outstanding 1-21 professional achievements; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In 1958, he broadened his own career horizons when 1-23 he became a staff optometrist at Bergstrom Air Force Base; he 1-24 remained on the staff at the base until 1974, successfully 2-1 combining his thriving private practice and his public service for 2-2 16 years; and 2-3 WHEREAS, In spite of the time-consuming demands that pursuing 2-4 a dual career entailed, the indefatigable Dr. Bradford nevertheless 2-5 devoted countless hours and considerable energy to his goal of 2-6 improving access to health care and medical facilities for Austin's 2-7 minority communities; and 2-8 WHEREAS, He was a codeveloper of the Medical Plaza on East 2-9 Martin Luther King Boulevard in Austin and was tireless in his 2-10 efforts to recruit black health care professionals to provide 2-11 health care services to residents of East Austin neighborhoods; and 2-12 WHEREAS, He also supported numerous other community 2-13 organizations in his wide-ranging activities as one of the 2-14 community's most prominent citizens and was a cofounder of the 2-15 Capital City Lions Club; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Honored many times over for his significant 2-17 contributions to the betterment of the community, he received an 2-18 especially fitting tribute in 1991 when the Austin Villager 2-19 proclaimed him a "Living Legend"; and 2-20 WHEREAS, In all of the many endeavors he pursued throughout a 2-21 full and rewarding life, Dr. Bradford brought energy, enthusiasm, 2-22 and compassion to his task of serving others, and in doing so, he 2-23 deeply touched the lives of those around him; although he is gone 2-24 from us now, the legacy he leaves behind will endure and keep alive 2-25 the memory of this outstanding gentleman; now, therefore, be it 2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-27 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Dr. Sylvester Bradford and 3-1 extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 3-2 Jesse; to his daughters, Jessyle and Bertra; to his brother, 3-3 Nathaniel; to his grandchild; and to the many friends and admirers 3-4 who have mourned his passing; and, be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-6 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-7 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-8 Dr. Sylvester Bradford. 3-9 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-10 Dr. Sylvester Bradford. 3-11 Delco 3-12 H.R. No. 781 3-13 _______________________________ 3-14 Speaker of the House 3-15 I certify that H.R. No. 781 was unanimously adopted by a 3-16 rising vote of the House on May 31, 1993. 3-17 _______________________________ 3-18 Chief Clerk of the House