83R16520 JWI-D
By: Allen H.R. No. 1341
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr., a longtime chaplain and
a retired brigadier general in the Texas State Guard, is being
honored by the Wharton community for his many achievements on June
15, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Born in Wharton, Charles Edwards joined the
U.S. Army in 1966 and served as an infantryman in South Korea; after
completing active duty, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and
continued his education, earning a bachelor's degree from Jarvis
Christian College in 1970 and a master's degree from Christian
Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 1973; Dr. Edwards received
his commission as a first lieutenant in 1976 and soon entered active
duty again, this time as a chaplain at Fort Lewis, Washington; he
continued to serve as a military chaplain for the next three
decades, holding a wide range of assignments in the regular army, in
the Texas Army National Guard, with which he served from 1979
through the end of 2003, and in the Texas State Guard, with which he
served from 2004 until his retirement in 2007; during his last three
years with the National Guard, Dr. Edwards served as the State Area
Command Chaplain, and during the final months of his military
career, he became the first individual to be appointed Joint Forces
Headquarters Command Chaplain; in that capacity, he oversaw all
chaplains and chaplain assistants in the Texas Army National Guard,
Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman has consistently sought out
opportunities to minister to others; between 1968 and 1992, while
carrying out his military duties, he also pastored churches in
Illinois, Indiana, and Texas; moreover, to deepen his skills and
understanding, he embarked on doctoral studies in ministry at
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, receiving his degree in
1989; and
WHEREAS, Active in numerous military associations, he has
served as national chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the
Disabled Veterans of America, as department chaplain for the
American Legion, and as chief of chaplains for the State Guard
Association of the United States; in recent years, he has further
served as chaplain with the FBI in San Antonio and with the San
Antonio Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Edwards is also founder and CEO of the Edwards
Ministerial Association, which provides support to veterans, law
enforcement personnel, and members of civic organizations and
educational institutions; along with other programs, the
organization awards scholarships to help disabled veterans,
underprivileged students, and seminary students pursue their
education; and
WHEREAS, After returning to Texas in 1980, Dr. Edwards worked
at the Travis State School in Austin, where he held the post of
director of human resource development/staff services; he retired
from that position in 1992 and subsequently served as chief of the
chaplain service for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System,
an office he held until 2003; since 2004, he has served as chief
financial officer for a child development center in Houston; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Edwards is the recipient of numerous military
decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service
Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal, as well
as the Texas National Guard Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal,
Outstanding Service Medal, and Adjutant General's Individual
Award; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Dr. Edwards has enjoyed the
love and support of his wife of 44 years, the former Felisha
L. Pulliam; the couple have been blessed with a fine family that
includes three children, Charles, Christopher, and Sylvia, and
eight grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Edwards has committed his life to the
service of others, and his contributions and accomplishments are
indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr., for his
immeasurable contributions in behalf of his country and his
community and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Edwards as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.