DAWSON, GLENDA MILES (1941 ~ 2006). The following is an obituary for Texas House of Representatives Member Glenda Miles Dawson, it was published in the Austin American-Statesman on September 14, 2006.

"Glenda Dawson State Representative Glenda Dawson, 65, died September 12, 2006. Representative Glenda Dawson represented the 29th District in the Texas House of Representatives. She served two terms in the Texas House after being elected in November 2002. She was member of the Public Education, Public Health, Higher Education and House Administration Committees.

As a former educator, she was proud to bring her experiences from the classroom to the legislature to continue to work for education and young people. Her leadership and commitment to young people and education earned her many honors over the years. A public school teacher for 34 years, Glenda received the 1989 'Pearland I.S.D. Teacher of the Year Award.' She was an Adjunct Professor and an Instructional Supervisor for Secondary Teachers at the University of Houston. In 2000, Pearland I.S.D. created the 'Glenda Dawson First Year Teacher Award' in recognition for he many years of devoted service to public education. In 2005, Glenda was given the honor of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from Sam Houston State University, her alma mater. Glenda was also a Youth Bible Teacher for high school students for 10 years.

After her many years in education, Glenda channeled her unbridled energy as a motivational keynote speaker and facilitator. She touched the lives of many adults and young people across the country helping them develop positive and enthusiastic attitudes. Glenda's passion was the promotion of organ donation. Nineteen years ago, Glenda herself was an organ recipient, receiving a kidney from her younger sister, Diane after enduring eighteen years of dialysis. She used these experiences as an organ recipient to increase awareness and education to help others. In her second term in the Texas Legislature, Glenda established the DEAR Program, which creates a statewide organ donation registry and organ donation education programs. Glenda was proud to see the DEAR Registry go into effect September 1, 2006.

Representative Glenda Dawson, is survived by her daughter, Dee Saenz and her husband, Carlos; two grandchildren, Lauren and Dawson Partridge; mother, Ruby Miles; brother, Jesse Miles and his wife, Pat; sister, Diane Taylor and her husband, Darrell; numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at SouthPark Funeral Home Chapel. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, 2006 at First Baptist Church of Pearland, 3005 Pearland Pkwy, Pearland, Texas 77581.

Interment to follow at SouthPark Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 2400 Augusta, Suite 252, Houston, TX 77057, telephone number 713/952- 5499. Arrangements under the direction of SouthPark Funeral Home and Cemetery, 281-485-2711.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 9/14/2006."