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By: Jackson S.C.R. No. 24
(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2003; March 20, 2003, read
first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 9, 2003,
reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0;
May 9, 2003, sent to printer.)
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Dr. Jesse Vernal Irons, a director of laboratories
for the Texas Department of Health for over 20 years, contributed
significantly to the health of all Texans; the growth and
development of the state public health laboratory system over the
middle part of the 20th century owes much to his ingenuity,
persistence, and courage; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Irons joined the Texas Department of Health in
1933, where he served as chief bacteriologist, assistant director,
and associate director before being named director of laboratories
in 1946; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the department, he devised a
rapid test for diagnosis of smallpox that was used extensively in an
outbreak in 1949, and he guided much of the pioneering work in the
development of specific technology for large-scale production and
distribution of smallpox vaccine; also, under the leadership of
Dr. Irons, the State Public Health Laboratory was licensed for the
purpose of manufacturing vaccines against whooping cough,
diphtheria, typhoid, and smallpox; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Irons also served as an adjunct professor of
microbiology at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston
and The University of Texas at Austin and authored or coauthored
more than 90 scientific and professional publications during his
career; he was also a member of many health-related organizations,
often serving in leadership positions, and received numerous honors
and recognitions for his work; and
WHEREAS, It is indeed fitting that Dr. Irons be memorialized
for his achievements as a leader in the field of public health in
Texas and that this recognition be in association with a facility
that so accurately represents his contribution and commitment; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the Texas Building and Procurement Commission to name
the new public health laboratory building in Austin for Dr. Jesse
Vernal Irons as a tribute to his dedication and remarkable efforts
toward the health and betterment of all Texans; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the chair and the executive director of
the Texas Building and Procurement Commission.
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