H.R. No. 2503
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of Houston lost an accomplished physician
and civic leader with the passing of Dr. Rogers O'Neil Whitmire on
May 1, 2015, at the age of 69; and
WHEREAS, Rogers Whitmire was born in Houston on August 30,
1945, to Joseph and Rosa Fae Whitmire; a member of the Booker
T. Washington High School Class of 1963, he graduated summa cum
laude with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Prairie View A&M
College in 1967 and went on to complete a master's degree and his
M.D. at Michigan State University; in addition, he earned the
distinction of becoming the first African American to complete the
obstetrics and gynecology program at Baylor College of Medicine;
and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Dr. Whitmire became the first African
American to establish a private practice at the Texas Medical
Center, and he later moved his office to South Main Street, where he
continued to work until his passing; during a career that spanned
nearly four decades, he treated countless area residents and
delivered more than 5,000 babies; he further distinguished himself
as chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at CHRISTUS
St. Joseph Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to his community, Dr. Whitmire
served on the board of directors of the NAACP Houston Branch for
many years, and he was a life member of that organization and of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as well as a longtime congregant of
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Whitmire shared a rewarding marriage with his
wife, Elsie, and he counted among his many blessings a treasured
family that included two children, Michael and Judith, and three
grandchildren, Savannah, Sascha, and Solomon; and
WHEREAS, Rogers Whitmire was a significant asset to his
community and an inspiring role model to many, and he leaves behind
a record of service that his loved ones can remember with pride;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Rogers O'Neil
Whitmire and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife, Elsie Whitmire; to his children, Michael
Whitmire and Dr. Judith Enders; to his grandchildren, Savannah,
Sascha, and Solomon Enders; to his brother, Dr. Gerald Whitmire;
and to his many other relatives and friends; 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. Rogers
O'Neil Whitmire.
Farrar
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2503 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 6, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House