SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence B. Harkless is being inducted into
the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall
of Fame on July 15, 2023, for his achievements in football; and
WHEREAS, Raised in the Mayflower community in Tatum,
Lawrence Harkless was the signal caller for the 1966 Mayflower
High School football team that advanced to the state final under
the guidance of his father, head coach Algie P. Harkless;
completing his high school career at Tatum High School, he became
the first Black student athlete to play quarterback in East
Texas, and he led the Panthers to a regional championship
victory; after attending North Texas State University, he earned
a bachelor's degree and a doctor of podiatric medicine degree
from the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San
Francisco; and
WHEREAS, Distinguishing himself over the course of a
30-year career, Dr. Harkless worked at The University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio, served as a professor in
the Department of Orthopedics at Bexar County Hospital, and was
the founding dean of the Western University of Health Sciences
College of Podiatric Medicine; moreover, he was the interim dean
of the first school of podiatric medicine in the Lone Star State
at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harkless has received the UT Health San
Antonio Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence and the
Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award from the American
Diabetes Association; in 1995, he was appointed by Governor
George W. Bush to the Texas Diabetes Council; he is a deacon at
Second Baptist Church in San Antonio, and he enjoys the love and
support of his wife, Gerry, his children, Erin and Lawrence, and
his grandchildren, Eliana, Zola, Elijah, Charles, and Ethan; and
WHEREAS, Through his accomplishments in football and in
the health field, Dr. Lawrence Harkless has set an outstanding
example to which others may aspire, and he is indeed deserving of
this notable honor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Lawrence
B. Harkless on his induction into the Prairie View Interscholastic
League Coaches Association Hall of Fame and extend to him sincere
best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Dr. Harkless as an expression of high regard from
the Texas Senate.
Hughes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on June 12, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate