H.R. No. 389


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A 70th birthday is truly a cause for celebration, and on February 23, 2003, Philip Logan Stephenson of Wichita Falls is marking this significant milestone in the company of family and friends; and WHEREAS, Born February 25, 1933, this accomplished gentleman was raised by loving parents in Alva, Oklahoma, and graduated from Alva High School in 1951; and WHEREAS, Dr. Stephenson received a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he served as president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity; he went on to earn his M.D. from the University of Oklahoma Medical School, following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps to become a third-generation physician; and WHEREAS, An internship at St. Joseph's Hospital brought him to Denver, Colorado, where he met the love of his life, Chrystelle; the couple have shared a long and happy union that has been blessed with four children, Paul, Pam, Barry, and Scott Stephenson, 21 grandchildren, and two miniature German schnauzers; and WHEREAS, In 1963, Dr. Stephenson and his family made a new home in Wichita Falls; following a two-year stint as a physician at Sheppard Air Force Base Regional Hospital, he practiced general surgery for the Medical and Surgical Clinic until 1976, when he opened a private practice, from which he retired in 1997; he went on to serve as vice president and medical director of United Regional Health Care Center before retiring yet again in 2001; and WHEREAS, Dr. Stephenson is trusted and admired by thousands of people, not only in Wichita Falls, where he was chief of surgery at one local hospital for a time and had privileges at both, but also in the small towns of Henrietta, Texas, and Waurika, Oklahoma, where his fondness for small towns like that of his birth led him to obtain staff privileges at both of the communities' hospitals; and WHEREAS, Active in a number of professional and civic organizations, this esteemed gentleman served as president of the Wichita County Medical Society, is a member and former president of the Rotary Club, and is a Paul Harris Fellow, not to mention a longtime blood donor for the American Red Cross; and WHEREAS, Dr. Stephenson, whose striking resemblance to Mr. Clean does not go unnoticed, is also an avid Sooner supporter; witnesses who saw him sew up a cut on his own leg can attest that he even bleeds OU crimson red; and WHEREAS, With seven decades of wonderful memories, a loving family, and many close friends, Dr. Stephenson can indeed reflect with pride on a life well spent as he enjoys his much-deserved retirement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Philip Logan Stephenson on the occasion of his 70th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Stephenson as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Farabee ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 389 was adopted by the House on April 3, 2003, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House