By: Delco H.R. No. 781
73R11710 JLZ-D
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.