Bill Text: GA SR165 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Denmark, Dr. Lelia Daughtry; recognize
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2009-02-06 - Senate Read and Adopted [SR165 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-SR165-Enrolled.html
09 LC 94
0230
Senate
Resolution 165
By:
Senators Hill of the 4th, Thomas of the 54th, Chapman of the 3rd and Cowsert of
the 46th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending Dr. Leila Daughtry Denmark; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Dr. Leila Daughtry Denmark was born on February 1, 1898, in Portal, Georgia, the
beloved daughter of Elerbee and Alice Hendricks Daughtry; and
WHEREAS,
Dr. Denmark's love of medicine and caring for others was sparked at an early age
while she lived with her parents and siblings on her grandmother's farm and
spent her days nursing sick animals to better health; and
WHEREAS,
as a young girl, Dr. Denmark admired her father, who not only helped developers
lay out the town of Portal but also was elected as its first mayor, serving for
many decades; and
WHEREAS,
Dr. Denmark attended school at the First District A and M School in Statesboro,
Georgia, and went on to graduate from Bessie Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
after graduation, Dr. Denmark taught high school science for two years in
Acworth and Claxton, Georgia, before enrolling in the University of Georgia
Medical College as the only woman in her freshman class of 50 students;
and
WHEREAS,
in 1928, Dr. Denmark graduated from medical school and was united in love and
marriage in the Baptist Church in Portal to her childhood sweetheart, John
Eustace Denmark, after an eight-year engagement; and
WHEREAS,
after completing her board examinations, Dr. Denmark served as the first intern
for the newly opened Henrietta Egleston Children's Hospital, now known as
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and admitted the first patient to the
facility; and
WHEREAS,
during her time with the children's hospital, Dr. Denmark also began her
commitment volunteering her time and services once a week to the Central
Presbyterian Church Baby Clinic, and continued to do so for over 50 years;
and
WHEREAS,
in the early 1930's, Dr. Denmark established her in-home medical practice and
began research which would lead to the development of a vaccine for pertussis,
an often fatal illness of the time also known as whooping cough;
and
WHEREAS,
Dr. Denmark turned the common sense advice she doled out to her patients into a
book in 1972 called
Every Child Should
Have a Chance, informing parents on the
importance of teaching a child proper eating habits, good manners, propriety in
dressing, and kindness and respect for others; and
WHEREAS,
Dr. Denmark practiced medicine until her retirement in 2004 at the age of 104,
and was recognized as the oldest practicing physician on her 100th birthday in
1998; and
WHEREAS,
during her prestigious medical career, Dr. Denmark was honored with such awards
as the Fisher Award from Eli Lilly Company for her research, treatment, and
immunization of whooping cough, Atlanta's Woman of the Year, the Shining Light
Award from Atlanta Gas Light Company, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the
Atlanta Business Chronicle, and honorary doctorates from Emory and Mercer
universities; and
WHEREAS,
a woman with a strong sense of family allegiance and an unyielding desire to
help those in need, Dr. Denmark personifies dedication, intelligence, and a
strong work ethic that serve as an example to all.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
Dr. Leila Daughtry Denmark on her outstanding service to her patients, the State
of Georgia, and mankind.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dr. Leila Daughtry
Denmark.
