1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 950

 1-3           WHEREAS, Burton F. Raiford has distinguished himself as a

 1-4     public servant of rare ability and integrity, and his many years

 1-5     of service to the people of Texas are truly worthy of special

 1-6     praise and recognition; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, A graduate of Texas A&M University, Mr. Raiford

 1-8     currently serves as chief financial officer for the Texas Health

 1-9     and Human Services Commission, and he has brought to this position

1-10     his characteristic diligence and intelligence; and

1-11           WHEREAS, A 26-year veteran of the Texas Department of Human

1-12     Services, Mr. Raiford was the agency's commissioner before assuming

1-13     his current post; he was originally hired as an accountant, and his

1-14     astute financial acumen and organizational skills were soon noted;

1-15     he met the challenges of each successive job assignment with skill

1-16     and determination; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Dedicated to maintaining exceptional service to his

1-18     agency's clients, Mr. Raiford steered the Department of Human

1-19     Services through turbulent times while remaining steadfast in his

1-20     commitment to job training programs and welfare reform, and under

1-21     his leadership the organization reshaped itself to better serve

1-22     Texans from all walks of life; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Mr. Raiford is well known as a knowledgeable and

 2-1     compassionate mentor to his colleagues, and he is regularly sought

 2-2     out for his depth of wisdom and balanced sense of perspective; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Raiford has drawn

 2-4     strength and inspiration from his close-knit family, and he and

 2-5     his wife, Peg, take great pride in their grown children, Ronnie,

 2-6     Michael, and Brenda; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Burt Raiford's service to the State of Texas has

 2-8     immeasurably benefited the lives of countless numbers of his fellow

 2-9     citizens, and it is indeed fitting to recognize him for his many

2-10     remarkable accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-12     75th Legislature, hereby honor Burton F. Raiford on his enormous

2-13     contributions to the Lone Star State and extend to him sincere

2-14     gratitude for his devoted public service; and, be it further

2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be

2-16     prepared for Mr. Raiford as an expression of high regard by the

2-17     Texas Senate.

2-18                                                                    West

2-19                                  ______________________________________

2-20                                          President of the Senate

2-21                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-22                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-23                                  on May 30, 1997.

2-24                                  ______________________________________

2-25                                          Secretary of the Senate

2-26                                  ______________________________________

2-27                                           Member, Texas Senate