By: Van de Putte S.C.R. No. 42
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Bernstein, former commissioner of health
of the Texas Department of Health and a board member and executive
committee member of the Texas Health Institute, passed away on July
23, 2007, after a life of outstanding public service; and
WHEREAS, A staunch advocate for the improvement of public
health in Texas, Dr. Bernstein was named commissioner of health in
January of 1980 and served with distinction in that capacity until
his retirement in June of 1991; with a tenure of 11 and one-half
years, he was the longest-serving commissioner of health in Texas;
and
WHEREAS, As head of the department, Dr. Bernstein adeptly
addressed the major health problems faced by our state and
developed an expansive health program that dealt with education,
planning, surveillance, epidemiological study, laboratory
analysis, environmental protection, regulation, licensure, and
complaint investigation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bernstein's legacy was a program of broad scope
that is still in place and through which today's Department of State
Health Services can effectively address the needs of our state's
citizens and present-day health issues; and
WHEREAS, Section 2165.005, Government Code, establishes a
procedure for the naming of a state building by requiring that the
proposed designation be submitted to the Texas Facilities
Commission and that a concurrent resolution authorizing the
designation be passed by the legislature and signed by the
governor; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bernstein was an esteemed public servant and a
highly effective administrator who worked tirelessly for the
betterment of his community, state, and country in both his
professional and personal life; the renaming of Building G of the
Department of State Health Services Central Complex in Austin in
his honor would be an opportunity for all Texans to pay tribute to
his life and to express appreciation for his many contributions to
our state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby approve and authorize the renaming of Building G at the
Department of State Health Services Central Complex in Austin as
the Dr. Robert Bernstein Building; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the executive director of the Texas
Facilities Commission.