TITLE: Commending Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr., on his service to his country and his community.

SUMMARY: Commending Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr., on his service to his country and his community.

FULL TEXT:
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. Allen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1341 was adopted by the House on April 17, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House