By Jones of Dallas H.R. No. 50
74R2885 PAN-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. D. G. Edwards is an esteemed resident of
1-2 Duncanville who has long played an active role in making his
1-3 community a better place in which to live and raise a family; and
1-4 WHEREAS, This fine gentleman learned both the value of hard
1-5 work and the importance of regular church attendance from an early
1-6 age, having been reared on a farm near Tatum, where his grandfather
1-7 served as the pastor of a local church; during his adolescence, he
1-8 became interested in pursuing a career in medicine, inspired by the
1-9 interest and encouragement of his family's physician, Dr.
1-10 Cleveland; and
1-11 WHEREAS, After graduating from Tatum High School, Dr. Edwards
1-12 attended Kilgore Junior College on a football scholarship and went
1-13 on to earn recognition for his athletic prowess as a student at
1-14 North Texas State University in Denton; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Deciding that several years as a professional
1-16 football player could help pay for his education, he became a free
1-17 agent and played for the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1973, while
1-18 continuing his education during the off-season; and
1-19 WHEREAS, From 1973 to 1975, Dr. Edwards attended Prairie View
1-20 A&M University and in 1975 during a revival service, he first felt
1-21 the call to serve the Lord; determined to remain true to his dream
1-22 of a career in medicine, he was graduated from the university one
1-23 month later and continued his education at Texas College of
1-24 Osteopathic Medicine, becoming the first African American to
2-1 complete the institution's challenging program; and
2-2 WHEREAS, In 1980, Dr. Edwards began his internship at
2-3 Livingston Lockburne Clinic in Columbus, Ohio, during which period
2-4 he answered the call he had felt years before and preached his
2-5 first sermon on April 20, 1980; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Continuing his training in the medical field, he
2-7 opened a family and sports medicine practice in 1983, while
2-8 becoming increasingly active in several ministries of the church;
2-9 and
2-10 WHEREAS, Nearly a decade after he preached his first sermon,
2-11 Dr. Edwards spotted an empty church facility in downtown
2-12 Duncanville and shortly thereafter organized St. Luke with 14
2-13 charter members, 13 of whom were relatives; today, the church's
2-14 membership has grown to comprise nearly 400 members who have been
2-15 drawn to the church by Dr. Edwards' meaningful sermons; and
2-16 WHEREAS, As a physician and a pastor, Dr. Edwards has
2-17 carefully balanced the needs of his patients with those of the
2-18 members of his congregation, relying on Biblical principles to seek
2-19 solutions to people's problems both inside and outside of the
2-20 church; in addition, this respected practitioner has served for two
2-21 summers as a physician on staff at the Olympic training center and
2-22 as the team doctor for two local high school teams and a college
2-23 team; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Throughout his dual careers, Dr. Edwards has enjoyed
2-25 the support and devotion of his wife, Ellen, and the couple are the
2-26 proud parents of two daughters, Jessica and Moneek; and
2-27 WHEREAS, In all aspects of his life, Dr. D. G. Edwards has
3-1 exemplified the highest standards of leadership and
3-2 professionalism, and he is indeed deserving of special legislative
3-3 recognition for his continuing contributions in this regard; now,
3-4 therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby commend Dr. D. G. Edwards for his exceptional
3-7 contributions as a physician and spiritual leader; and, be it
3-8 further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for Dr. Edwards as an expression of high regard by the
3-11 Texas House of Representatives.