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