By Coleman                                            H.R. No. 1174

         75R16883 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Burton F. Raiford has distinguished himself as a

 1-2     public servant of ability and integrity, and his many years of

 1-3     service to the people of Texas are truly worthy of special praise

 1-4     and recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A graduate of Texas A&M University, Mr. Raiford

 1-6     currently serves as chief financial officer for the Texas Health

 1-7     and Human Services Commission, and he has brought to this position

 1-8     his characteristic diligence and intelligence; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Mr. Raiford is a 26-year veteran of the Texas

1-10     Department of Human Services and was that agency's commissioner

1-11     before assuming his current post; originally hired as an

1-12     accountant, his astute financial acumen and organizational skills

1-13     were soon noted, and he met the challenges of each successive job

1-14     assignment with skill and determination; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Dedicated to maintaining exceptional service to his

1-16     agency's clients, Mr. Raiford steered the Department of Human

1-17     Services through turbulent times while remaining steadfast in his

1-18     commitment to job training programs and welfare reform, and under

1-19     his leadership the organization reshaped itself to better serve

1-20     Texans from all walks of life; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Mr. Raiford is well known as a knowledgeable and

1-22     compassionate mentor to his colleagues, and he is regularly sought

1-23     out for his depth of wisdom and balanced sense of perspective; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Raiford has drawn

 2-1     strength and inspiration from his close-knit family, and he and his

 2-2     wife Peg take great pride in their grown children, Ronnie, Michael,

 2-3     and Brenda; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Burt Raiford's service to the State of Texas has

 2-5     immeasurably benefited the lives of countless numbers of his fellow

 2-6     citizens, and it is indeed fitting to recognize him for his many

 2-7     remarkable accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-9     Legislature hereby honor Burton F. Raiford on his great

2-10     contributions to the Lone Star State and convey to him sincere

2-11     gratitude for his devoted public service; and, be it further

2-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-13     prepared for Mr. Raiford as an expression of high regard by the

2-14     Texas House of Representatives.