R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Rea Eddy "Buddy" Alford of New Boston

 1-2     on October 17, 1996, at the age of 53, has brought a great loss to

 1-3     the many friends and relatives of this respected Texas educator;

 1-4     and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The son of Johnny and Thelma Alford, he was born

 1-6     February 11, 1943, in Texarkana, Arkansas; a long time resident of

 1-7     Bowie County, he dedicated himself to enhancing the quality of

 1-8     public education there as director of the Western Bowie County

 1-9     Co-op Special Education Program and the county co-op's  Alternative

1-10     Education Program; and

1-11           WHEREAS, In addition, he drew on his extensive knowledge and

1-12     managerial skills to positively affect health care issues as the

1-13     administrator of the New Boston Independent School District Health

1-14     Insurance Program, and he further served his community as a former

1-15     board member of the Teachers Credit Union; and

1-16           WHEREAS, Throughout all his endeavors, this remarkable

1-17     gentleman was sustained by a deep and abiding commitment to his

1-18     family, and his devotion to his wife, children, and parents was an

1-19     inspiration to all who knew him; and

1-20           WHEREAS, A man of great vision, Rea Eddy "Buddy" Alford left

1-21     an indelible mark on the community he was proud to call home, and

1-22     though his presence will be deeply missed, his memory will long

1-23     endure in the hearts and minds of all the people whose lives he

1-24     touched; now, therefore, be it

 2-1           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-2     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Rea Eddy "Buddy"

 2-3     Alford and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to

 2-4     his beloved wife, Sherry Alford; to his children, Aaron and Amanda

 2-5     Alford; to his parents, Johnny and Thelma Alford; to his brother,

 2-6     Oma Alford; to his sisters and brothers-in-law, Lea Etta and Joe

 2-7     Srygley, Ina Nell and Ronnie Graham, Ada Dell and Rick Ferguson,

 2-8     and Kea Ella and Gary Waldon; and to his many other friends and

 2-9     relatives; and, be it further

2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-11     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-12     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-13     Rea Eddy "Buddy" Alford.

                                                                     Telford

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 37 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on March 20, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House