By Conley                                              H.R. No. 263
       74R5418 KMP-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, On February 9, 1995, San Antonio native Dr. Bernard
    1-2  Harris became the first African-American astronaut to walk in
    1-3  space, bringing great honor to his family, state, and nation; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, The son of Gussie and Joe Burgess of San Antonio,
    1-5  Dr. Harris attended Sam Houston High School and the University of
    1-6  Houston, where he completed his biology degree in 1978; this fine
    1-7  Texan then set his sights on a career in medicine, graduating from
    1-8  the Texas Tech School of Medicine in 1982 and serving as a
    1-9  practicing physician for several years; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Known for his compassionate and often innovative
   1-11  work as a medical doctor, Dr. Harris also devoted himself to
   1-12  conducting important scientific studies; his research ultimately
   1-13  resulted in the publication of several influential articles that
   1-14  established him as one of our nation's leading scientists; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, In July 1991, this outstanding individual joined the
   1-16  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an
   1-17  astronaut, becoming one of a long line of Texans who have dedicated
   1-18  themselves to the pursuit of scientific advancement as a member of
   1-19  America's space program; Dr. Harris flew his first mission in April
   1-20  of 1993, when he served as mission specialist and conducted
   1-21  research in the fields of physics and life sciences; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, On February 1, 1995, this remarkable man traveled to
   1-23  the stars yet again as a crew member on board the space shuttle
   1-24  Discovery, making history as a witness to the first rendezvous of a
    2-1  space shuttle with the Russian Mir Space Station; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, On this mission, Dr. Harris also became the first
    2-3  black astronaut in history to walk in space; during the course of
    2-4  the space walk, which lasted five hours, he tested the
    2-5  effectiveness of NASA's new flight suits and gathered data that may
    2-6  one day be used in the construction of a United States space
    2-7  station; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, In addition to his work as an astronaut, Dr. Harris
    2-9  has committed himself to improving the quality of Texas education;
   2-10  a member of the Texas Tech Board of Regents since 1993, he teaches
   2-11  medicine to enterprising young students at The University of Texas
   2-12  Medical Branch, the Baylor College of Medicine, The University of
   2-13  Texas School of Medicine, and The University of Texas School of
   2-14  Public Health; and
   2-15        WHEREAS, In his dual role as an educator and scientist, Dr.
   2-16  Harris has expanded the boundaries of human knowledge and
   2-17  experience, and his remarkable achievements are indeed an
   2-18  inspiration to Texans of all ages who dream of exploration,
   2-19  adventure, and discovery; now, therefore, be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-21  Legislature hereby commend Dr. Bernard Harris for his outstanding
   2-22  contributions to the State of Texas and the United States and
   2-23  extend to him warmest best wishes for success and happiness in his
   2-24  future endeavors; and, be it further
   2-25        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-26  prepared for Dr. Harris as an expression of highest regard by the
   2-27  Texas House of Representatives.