H.R. No. 1871

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The late Derrick Lanier Geter of Dallas had a lasting influence on his community through his notable endeavors in behalf of its most vulnerable residents, and it is indeed fitting to celebrate his life and legacy of service; and

WHEREAS, Born on February 13, 1963, in Augusta, Georgia, Mr. Geter was the son of Tommie Geter, Jr., and Dorothy Geter; when he was nearly five years old, his family moved from Langley, South Carolina, to Dallas, and he graduated from David W. Carter High School; he served his country in the Army National Guard and continued his studies at the American Trades Institute; he was employed with SmithKline Beecham Laboratories for a decade, although gospel music was always his true calling; and

WHEREAS, This gifted musician performed with such stars as Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams, and used his talents to reach out to others, sharing his faith, providing encouragement, and mentoring young people, including recording artist Greg O'Quin; he was instrumental in organizing the Dallas Mass Choir in 1988 and recorded "More Like Jesus" with that group; at the time of his passing in October 2008, he was a musician at Mayo Chapel Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, After losing a beloved foster son to gang violence, Mr. Geter redoubled his efforts to help youth through his music; he created the musical drama Young Brother, You're Not Alone, and wrote the title song for the play Don't Throw Your Life Away, which also became the title track of his own CD release; in addition, he established Geter Enterprises Outreach Ministries and the Give a Child a Chance Foundation, and hosted such events as a talent show, a children's gospel concert, and a concert to promote resistance to gangs; and

WHEREAS, Serious illness beset Mr. Geter for many years, but he never flagged in his resolve to help others and used his small disability income to create and support events that gave children opportunities to shine; his Kids Day in the Park events grew so popular that local ministries and community organizations began to join forces with him to bring even more people together through these festivities; Mr. Geter turned his own birthdays into celebrations for children, and he helped students at his former school, T. G. Terry Elementary, by returning to give motivational talks; and

WHEREAS, For more than two decades, Mr. Geter volunteered at South Dallas and Cedar Hill nursing homes; moreover, he collaborated with staff at Cedar Valley College to provide programs and presented workshops in San Antonio, New York, Philadelphia, and other cities around the country; when he received a diagnosis of aggressive cancer, he brushed off any suggestion that he should take more time for himself; and

WHEREAS, Even as his strength waned, Derrick Geter continued to do whatever he could to make his community a better place, and his generosity, compassion, and determination will forever inspire all those who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Derrick Geter and extend sincere condolences to his daughter, Atalyah Young, to his mother and stepfather, Dorothy Stoker Starks and George Starks, to his father, Tommie Geter, Jr., to his sister and brothers, Deatra, Darryl, and Christopher Geter, to his other family members and many friends, and to the countless community members who mourn his passing; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Derrick Geter.

Mallory Caraway

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1871 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 14, 2009.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House