SR155 - In memory of State Representative Barry Bradford Telford of De Kalb.

        SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 155       In Memory   of   Barry Telford            WHEREAS, Residents of Northeast Texas are mourning the   loss of longtime state representative Barry Bradford Telford of   De Kalb, who passed away on June 1, 2024, at the age of 77; and            WHEREAS, Born in New Boston on October 24, 1946, Barry   Telford was the son of John Quincy Telford and Bertha Van Hooser   Telford; he married the former Marsha Cunningham on   September 3, 1966, and they were blessed with two children, Anna   Christina and John; after attending Texarkana Junior College,   Mr. Telford earned his bachelor's degree in education from North   Texas State University; he became owner and operator of a family   business, Telford Gas and Furniture; and            WHEREAS, In 1986, Mr. Telford was elected to the first of   nine terms in the Texas House of Representatives; he held a   number of leadership roles, including chair of the Calendars and   the Pensions and Investments Committees; committed to   strengthening the state's pension system, he was instrumental in   improving benefits for state employees and oversaw the Consumer   Price Index Catch-Up Plan, a significant legislative change that   provided relief to public education retirees impacted by   inflation; he also advocated for students and teachers and helped   expand access to higher education in Northeast Texas; and            WHEREAS, Mr. Telford greatly benefited the state as chair   of the Select Committee on Rural Development; in addition, he   worked to improve the prison system, serving as vice chair of the   Corrections Committee and as chair of the Corrections   Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight; the Barry B. Telford Unit   of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in New Boston was   named in his honor; he further served as co-chair of the Texas   State Artist Committee, and he was a member of numerous other   committees, among them Human Services, House Administration, and   Judicial Affairs; a friend and mentor to many, he was admired by   legislators, staff, and the wider Capitol community for his   fair-mindedness and dedication, as well as for his sense of   humor; and            WHEREAS, Following his retirement from the legislature in   2005, Mr. Telford continued to give generously of his time and   talents in behalf of his community; he belonged to the De Kalb   Masonic Lodge No. 9 and First United Methodist Church; a member   of the Maud Gun Club, he enjoyed skeet shooting and hunting; he   was also a voracious reader; and            WHEREAS, Barry Telford was a devoted public servant and an   effective champion for rural Texans, and although he is deeply   missed by those he left behind, his contributions will continue   to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it            RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable   Barry Bradford Telford and extend sincere condolences to the   members of his family: to his wife, Marsha Cunningham Telford; to   his children, Anna Christina Telford and her husband, Jason   Cording, and John Farris Telford and his wife, Molly Darden   Telford; to his grandchildren, Quincy Cole Telford, Zoe Kate   Telford, and Gracie Reese Telford; to his sisters-in-law, Lois   Crim, Brenda Smith, and Gay Cunningham; to his brother-in-law,   Winston Cunningham; to his nephews, Quincy Ellis Telford and   Bradford Grey Telford; and to his other relatives and friends;   and, be it further            RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be   prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns   this day, it do so in memory of Barry Telford.     Hughes                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on February 26, 2025,     by a rising vote.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate