79R14381 MW-D

By:  Hamilton                                                     H.R. No. 1503



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The selection of R. D. "Bo" Welborn to be president 
of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association (SFFMA) of 
Texas aptly reflects the tradition of excellence of this venerable 
organization, which celebrates its 129th anniversary on June 12, 
2005; and
	WHEREAS, Founded in 1876, the SFFMA is the oldest and largest 
institution of firefighters in Texas and counts among its members 
1,100 fire departments, more than 80 industrial fire brigades, and 
18,000 individuals; and
	WHEREAS, A 36-year veteran firefighter, Mr. Welborn worked 
with the Department of Silsbee Fire and Rescue as fire marshal, fire 
line captain, chief of haz-mat response, advanced certified 
firefighter, district chief, deputy chief, assistant chief, and 
fire chief until his retirement in 1996; and
	WHEREAS, He also served as the firefighter pension 
commissioner for the City of Silsbee, hazardous materials 
coordinator for Hardin County, president of the East Texas District 
of the SFFMA, and career firefighter for Beaumont Fire Department 
and Rescue; currently, he serves as a board member of the Fire 
Museum of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Welborn has enjoyed the 
support of his family, including his wife of 35 years, Sarah 
Welborn, daughter, Keisha and her husband, Greg Bertling, and 
grandsons, Josh and Adam; notably, Josh is state mascot of the 
SFFMA, and Adam is mascot of SFFMA's East Texas District; and
	WHEREAS, With the courage, leadership, and exceptional 
skills that made him an exemplary firefighter, Mr. Welborn will 
ably lead the SFFMA in pursuing the noteworthy goals of promoting, 
unifying, representing, and educating the firefighters of Texas; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Bo Welborn on his selection as the 2005 
president of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of 
Texas and extend to him best wishes for the future; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Welborn as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.