78S41579 DS-D

By:  Morrison                                                     H.R. No. 327



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dr. John M. Richardson has received the Golden Deeds 
Award from the Exchange Club of Fort Worth in recognition of his 
many accomplishments for children's causes; and
	WHEREAS, Born and raised in Fort Worth, Dr. Richardson has 
ministered to the children of his hometown for decades; for nearly 
three decades, he was the attending physician of Edna Gladney Home 
for Adoption where he aided in more than 9,000 adoptions; now, at 
the age of 73, this dedicated pediatrician continues to tend to the 
youngest members of his community; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Richardson 
worked closely with organizations that focus on the needs of 
children; he is the founder of the WARM Place, a grief counseling 
center specifically for children, and he helped in the inception of 
the Key School, a facility for children and adults with 
disabilities; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Richardson was also the major force behind the 
creation of the Baby Moses Project, a visionary effort directed 
towards enacting legislation throughout the country that allows 
parents to leave newborns in safe locations such as hospitals, 
police stations, and firehouses without fear of arrest for 
abandonment; his support and advocacy helped to rally Texas 
lawmakers to pass the first Baby Moses law in the country in 1999, 
and, since that time, more than 40 other states have followed in 
writing similar laws; to date, this law has saved the lives of 18 
newborns in the State of Texas alone; and
	WHEREAS, This luminary of the Fort Worth medical community  
has been awarded numerous honors, including the Brotherhood Award 
of Christians and Jews, the Gladney Leadership Hall of Fame, the 
Tarrant County Medical Society Humanitarian Award, the Texas Health 
Resources Community Service by a Physician Award, and the 
Congressional Angels in Adoption Award; and
	WHEREAS, Fittingly described by one of his admirers as "a man 
of action and passion," Dr. Richardson has been driven throughout 
his life to champion the welfare of children, and he is indeed 
deserving of our highest praise; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. John M. 
Richardson on receiving the Golden Deeds Award and commend him for 
his dedicated care and compassion for generations of children; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Richardson as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.