R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor

 1-2     Dr. Joseph A. Pierce, Jr., for his outstanding contributions to the

 1-3     citizens of San Antonio both as a member of the medical profession

 1-4     and as a civic leader; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Dr. Pierce helped found the C. A. Whittier Medical

 1-6     Society, a professional association of physicians that strives to

 1-7     promote research of illnesses affecting African Americans and to

 1-8     help medical students embark on successful careers; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, A leader in San Antonio's African-American

1-10     community, Dr. Pierce is also a noted collector, archivist, and

1-11     advocate of African-American art and literature, and his efforts in

1-12     this regard have captured the attention of the community and have

1-13     gained greater respect for the vast cultural contributions of

1-14     minority citizens; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The son of professional educators, this accomplished

1-16     gentleman was inspired by the achievements of his father, a

1-17     mathematician and former president of Texas Southern University

1-18     (TSU), and his mother,  a cofounder of TSU's department of health

1-19     and physical education for women, both of whom instilled in him the

1-20     desire to pursue a career in medicine and a profound respect for

1-21     his cultural heritage; a 1957 graduate of TSU and a member of the

1-22     Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society, he earned his

1-23     degree from Meharry Medical College in 1961 and served eight years

1-24     in the United States Army, during which time he rose from the rank

 2-1     of captain to lieutenant colonel; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, This esteemed physician completed his residency at

 2-3     Brooke General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston and was named chief of

 2-4     anesthesiology at Second General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany; a

 2-5     native of the Lone Star State, Dr. Pierce eventually returned to

 2-6     San Antonio, where he has since applied his skills to the benefit

 2-7     of the community and is highly regarded for his medical acumen and

 2-8     compassion for his patients; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Dr. Pierce has received the

2-10     loving support of his wife, Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce, his sons,

2-11     Michael Arthur Pierce and Joseph Aaron Pierce, and his

2-12     daughter-in-law, Kama Bethel Pierce, in his many endeavors; and

2-13           WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph A. Pierce, Jr., has displayed exceptional

2-14     dedication to the medical profession and to his community

2-15     throughout his remarkable career, and in light of his many

2-16     achievements, he is indeed deserving of special legislative

2-17     recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it

2-18           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-19     Legislature hereby commend Dr. Joseph A. Pierce, Jr., for his part

2-20     in founding the C. A. Whittier Medical Society and for his

2-21     exemplary contributions to the health and welfare of the citizens

2-22     of San Antonio; and, be it further

2-23           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-24     prepared for Dr. Pierce as an expression of high regard by the

2-25     Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                   McClendon

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 473 was adopted by the House on April

         18, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House