Hardin-Simmons University Departments of Political Science, Legal Studies, and Criminal Justice present the first annual Ethics in Public Service Forum, March 29, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in Moody Center, Room 233, on the HSU campus. The event is open to the general public at no charge and will be of considerable interest to students and public servants from all walks of life.

John Coleman, assistant professor of Criminal Justice, assembled an impressive line-up of influential public leaders; individuals who face difficult choices daily, and whose ethical underpinnings must be impeccable. This panel of Texas statesmen will discuss significant ethical issues that challenge them in their work and take prepared questions from pre-professional students preparing for careers in the public eye.

Judge Solis

The Honorable Judge Jorge Solis joins the inaugural forum as United States District Judge appointed by President George H.W. Bush to the Northern district of Texas in Sep 1991. He attended McMurry University, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1973, then earned his doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. A native of San Ygnacio, Texas, Judge Solis previously practiced law as assistant district attorney in Abilene, as a criminal district attorney, as a special prosecutor with the narcotics task force, and in private practice, before being appointed as judge of the 350th District Court in Abilene. Judge Solis is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, serves on the board of directors for McMurry University, on the U.S. Judicial Advisory Council for the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and previously served on the governor’s task force on drug abuse.

Sheriff Dee Anderson

Sherriff Dee Anderson joins the panel as Sherriff of Tarrant County, a metropolitan area of over 1.6 million people and 37 municipalities. He is a native of Tarrant County and attended Tarrant County Junior College and the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in journalism. He worked at various area newspapers as a reporter and editor before entering law enforcement. A member of the Arlington Police Department since 1980, he worked in a number of capacities including patrolman, field-training officer, fatality accident investigator, and media relations coordinator.

During his 15 years as spokesman for the department, Anderson appeared on national network
News shows, and all three major network morning news programs. Anderson is co-founder of the AMBER Plan, a cooperative effort between law enforcement and the media to instantly alert the public of suspected child abduction. The AMBER Plan has received state and national acclaim, and given Anderson the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to testify before Congress on behalf of the program. He received numerous accolades during his career, including the Pinnacle Award for Excellence and a Medal of Merit.

Larry Gilley

Larry Gilley comes to the group as city manager for the City of Abilene since June 2002. Previously, Mr. Gilley served as city manager for San Marcos, Bovina, and Panhandle, Texas. He is a member and past president of the Texas City Management Association, a member of the International City Management Association, and has served on the MPA Advisory Council at Texas State University.

Mr. Gilley received a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Texas Tech University and a master of public administration degree from Texas State University. He received the professional service award for in-service training from the International City Management Association and was named as Professional Administrator of the Year by the Cen-Tex chapter of the American Society of Public Administration.

Billy Edwards

Billy John Edwards rounds out the group as district attorney for Jones and Shackelford counties. A Jones County native, he attended Texas Tech University before entering the University of South Carolina School of Law, obtaining his degree in 1972. Mr. Edwards served as assistant district attorney for Abilene, before entering private practice with Whitten, Price, Wagener, and Edwards, and later Price and Edwards. In 1981, Mr. Edwards was appointed district judge for Taylor County until 2001, when he became senior district judge. In 2004 he re-entered private practice in Anson, Texas.