SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 419
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  James T. Willerson
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Dr. James T. Willerson, who died
  September 16, 2020; and
         WHEREAS, James Willerson was an exemplary citizen and a
  highly esteemed physician whose research in the field of
  cardiovascular medicine had a positive impact on the lives of
  countless people; and
         WHEREAS, Born on November 16, 1939, Dr. Willerson
  graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Texas at Austin,
  where he was a four-year letterman in swimming and was a member of
  the Texas Cowboys and the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity; he earned
  his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and he
  received his postgraduate training at Harvard Medical School and
  the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; and
         WHEREAS, He was widely known for his exceptional skill in
  diagnosing and treating patients, and he cared for more than
  3,000 patients in his medical practice; during the COVID-19
  pandemic, he continued to see patients daily, up until shortly
  before the time of his passing; he was noted for his warm and
  personable manner, and he was trusted and admired for the
  attentive care and sense of priority with which he treated each
  of his patients; and
         WHEREAS, He concentrated his medical research on the
  detection and treatment of unstable atherosclerotic plaques and
  on the discovery of the genes and abnormal proteins responsible
  for cardiovascular disease; he was awarded 15 patents as a result
  of his research, and he cofounded four biotechnology start-up
  companies that translated his research team's discoveries into
  clinical practice; and
         WHEREAS, Dr. Willerson was one of the longest-serving
  editors-in-chief of Circulation, a prestigious journal of the
  American Heart Association; in addition, he edited or coedited 27
  textbooks and published more than 1,030 articles in major
  scientific journals, and he served as a visiting professor and
  lecturer at more than 260 institutions worldwide; and
         WHEREAS, He and his former wife of 43 years, Nancy Beamer
  Willerson, were blessed with two daughters, Sara Willerson and
  Dr. Amy Willerson; his grandchildren, James, Grace, and Thomas
  Suerth, were a source of much pride and joy for him; and
         WHEREAS, A world-renowned researcher and medical expert
  and a talented and devoted physician, Dr. James Willerson
  dedicated himself to the pursuit of discovery and advancement in
  the field of cardiovascular medicine; he was honored with
  numerous accolades from around the globe that are bestowed for
  the highest achievements in medical practice, research, and
  leadership, and his invaluable contributions to his field will
  continue to benefit future generations for years to come; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Dr. James T. Willerson; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
  Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
  memory of James Willerson.
 
  Lucio
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 17, 2021, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate