|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, Dr. Arthur J. Eisenberg, former codirector of the |
|
University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and a |
|
pioneer in the field of forensic genetics, passed away on November |
|
8, 2018, at the age of 62; and |
|
WHEREAS, A native of the Bronx, New York, Arthur Eisenberg |
|
was born on May 20, 1956, to Armand and Rosalind Eisenberg, and he |
|
grew up with the companionship of his sister, Marcia; he went on to |
|
study at the State University of New York at Albany, where he |
|
graduated with bachelor and master of science degrees and a Ph.D. in |
|
molecular biology; and |
|
WHEREAS, In 1989, Dr. Eisenberg was hired by the UNT Health |
|
Science Center, beginning a tenure that spanned nearly three |
|
decades until his retirement in 2017; he was instrumental in |
|
establishing both the UNT Center for Human Identification and the |
|
UNT Health Science Center's graduate program for forensic genetics, |
|
through which he had the opportunity to mentor aspiring forensic |
|
analysts who went on to play key roles in federal and state law |
|
enforcement agencies across the U.S.; and |
|
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Eisenberg's leadership as codirector, the |
|
Center for Human Identification gained a reputation as one of the |
|
nation's top DNA laboratories and assisted with tens of thousands |
|
of cases involving missing and unidentified persons; over the |
|
course of his career, he worked on cases related to violent crimes |
|
and natural disasters and used his expertise to identify victims of |
|
the September 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the 1973 |
|
Pinochet military coup in Chile; he never lost sight of what |
|
mattered most about his work, which was helping families with |
|
missing loved ones to find closure, and he made sure to remind his |
|
staff of what was at stake for every project they undertook; and |
|
WHEREAS, Dr. Eisenberg shared his extensive knowledge and |
|
insights freely as the chair of the U.S. DNA Advisory Board and as a |
|
member of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, among numerous |
|
other groups; in 2011, he was named the recipient of the Paul L. |
|
Kirk Award from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences; and |
|
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Eisenberg enjoyed the love |
|
and support of his wife, Debbie, and his three daughters, Breanne, |
|
Brandy, and Kristin, and he was proud to welcome into his family six |
|
cherished grandchildren, Sienna, Evan, Keelyn, Charley, Sloane, |
|
and Joeb; and |
|
WHEREAS, Dr. Arthur J. Eisenberg made contributions to his |
|
profession that impacted the lives of countless people and |
|
influenced a generation of forensic scientists, and he leaves |
|
behind a legacy that will long be treasured by those who were |
|
privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Arthur J. |
|
Eisenberg and extend sincere sympathy to all 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 Dr. Arthur |
|
Eisenberg. |