[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE MIKE BRADFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. K. MICHAEL CONAWAY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2018

  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of 
The Honorable Mike Bradford. After twenty years of public service to 
Midland County, Judge Bradford--Mike--will retire in January 2019.
   Mike served eight years as County Commissioner for Precinct Two, 
from 1999 to 2007. In 2006, he was then elected County Judge, and he 
will have served in that office for twelve years, or three terms.
   While in office, Mike has shepherded Midland County through times of 
boom and times of bust, which is the nature of an economy based 
primarily on the oil and gas industry. All the while, conducting the 
affairs of the county with competence, professionalism, and care.
   During Mike's tenure, the Commissioners Court has cut the tax rate 
by over forty percent, maintaining the lowest county tax rate in Texas 
over the last nine years, and a reduction of the county's debt. At the 
same time, the county facilities have been majorly upgraded with the 
construction of the Midland County Courthouse, Centennial Library, and 
Horseshoe Arena, Pavilion, and Amphitheater.
   Like me, Mike was not born in the Permian Basin, but he got there as 
soon as he could. He graduated with, both, bachelor's and master's 
degrees from Texas Christian University. He moved to Midland, the 
hometown of his wife, Ann, in the 1970's. They have been an integral 
part of the community ever since. He and Ann have been married for 46 
years, and they have two daughters, Lauren and Heather.
   I want to thank Mike for his many years of dedicated service. 
Midland is a better place, because of your leadership.

                          ____________________