85R14004 CJM-D
By: Davis of Dallas H.R. No. 732
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dorothy L. Stoker-Starks is retiring from the
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dallas in 2017, drawing to a
close a remarkable tenure with the center that spanned nearly half a
century; and
WHEREAS, A native of Harleton, Mrs. Starks began her career
in nursing as a trainee at the VA Medical Center in 1969; she went on
to spend 45 years in the operating room as a certified surgical
technologist in neurology and plastic surgery and to serve as a
preceptor and advocate for those new to the field; she also
volunteered as an ambassador for veterans and their families; her
contributions to the VA North Texas Health Care System were
recognized with the Nursing of Excellence Award in 2012 and the
Daisy Ambassador Award in 2014; and
WHEREAS, In addition to going above and beyond in her
professional duties, Mrs. Starks has served on the board of
directors of the Texas State Assembly of the Association of
Surgical Technologists, which awarded her a Fellowship of High
Honor in 2008, and as president of the T. Mathis Hawkins Section of
the National Council of Negro Women; moreover, she has given back to
her community by helping sponsor a local health fair, mentoring
young women, supporting the American Cancer Society, and assisting
families at the Ronald McDonald House; and
WHEREAS, An active member of the Alta Mesa Park Baptist
Church, Mrs. Starks serves as president of the General Mission and
assists with the congregation's various ministries; she has also
held the offices of president and parliamentarian of the Greater
Dallas Area Sisterhood of the Missionary Baptist General Convention
of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Retirement offers Mrs. Starks a welcome opportunity
to spend more time with her family, which includes her three
children, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan's commitment to the highest
standards of her profession has greatly benefited her fellow
citizens, and she may indeed reflect with pride on a career well
spent as she embarks on the next exciting chapter of her life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dorothy L. Stoker-Starks on her
retirement from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dallas and
extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Starks as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.