Introduced Version
SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOL UTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing Dr. James "Jim"
Lawrence.
FORD J.D.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
2024 DR 3851/DI LF Introduced
Second Regular Session 123rd General Assembly (2024)
SENATE RESOLUTION ____
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing Dr. James
2 "Jim" Lawrence.
3 Whereas, Dr. James "Jim" Lawrence was born April 14,
4 1936, to Victor and Irene Lawrence;
5 Whereas, Jim graduated from the University of Arkansas
6 (Fayetteville) in 1957 with a Bachelors of Science in Medicine;
7 Whereas, Jim received his M.D. from the University of
8 Arkansas (Little Rock) in 1961, and went on to become a flight
9 surgeon for the United States Air Force at Tinker Air Force
10 Base from 1962 to 1964;
11 Whereas, Jim completed his ophthalmology residency at
12 Indiana University in 1967 and had a fulfilling career as a
13 board-certified ophthalmologist in Indianapolis from 1967 to
14 1998, where he was regarded as a compassionate surgeon who
15 cared for his patients;
16 Whereas, Jim was a founding member of 20/20 Eye
17 Physicians of Indiana, where he treated both children and
18 adults following the belief that their lives could be enriched
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1 through the gift of sight;
2 Whereas, Jim was affiliated with St. Vincent Hospital
3 throughout his career and held many offices, including
4 President of the Medical Staff, member of the St. Vincent
5 Foundation, and member of the St. Vincent Hospital Board of
6 Directors;
7 Whereas, In 1997, Jim was recognized by his peers when he
8 received the Distinguished Physician Award;
9 Whereas, Jim also served as the President of the
10 Indianapolis Ophthalmology Society and on the Board of
11 Directors of the Marion County Medical Society and was a
12 member of the American Medical Association, the American
13 Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Scientech Club,
14 and Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis;
15 Whereas, Upon his retirement in 1998, Jim became a
16 certified Master Gardener and shared his knowledge with the
17 Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana to help with ongoing
18 maintenance of the Enabling and Healing Garden; and
19 Whereas, Dr. James "Jim" Lawrence passed away on July
20 20, 2023, and is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughter,
21 Johanna (Gery) Kissel; son David (Karen) Lawrence;
22 grandchildren Morgan Lawrence, Madison (Jacob) White,
23 Halley and Corinne Kissel, and Brooke and Kate Lawrence;
24 and great-grandchildren Elizabeth, James, and Jack White:
25 Therefore,
26 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
27 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
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1 SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate memorializes Dr.
2 James "Jim" Lawrence, and his dedication to his family, the
3 field of medicine, and the people of Indiana.
4 SECTION 2. That the Secretary of the Senate is hereby
5 directed to transmit copies of this resolution to the family of
6 Dr. James "Jim" Lawrence.
2024 DR 3851/DI LF