[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 19, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. RICHARD BUFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 19, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fire 
Chief Richard Buford of Jefferson County, Mississippi, for his love, 
compassion, and service.
  Richard Buford was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1966. He is the 
first-born son of Horace Mac ``Shorty'' Buford and Ella Mae Henderson 
Buford. His grandparents moved him to Stampley, MS, 12 minutes from 
Fayette, MS, at the age of 2.
  Richard is a 1984 graduate of the Jefferson County School District 
and the former football team captain and student government president. 
He is a retired Career Recruiter of the United States Marine Corps; a 
Desert Storm Combat Sargeant; with an Associated Degree in Supervisory 
Leadership from Hawaii Pacific University (Honolulu, HI) with further 
Leadership Development from Chicago State University (Chicago, IL).
  In 2001, Richard returned to Jefferson County, MS, and became a small 
farm lobbyist while still desiring to serve. He became a: 1) Volunteer 
Firefighter and now Chief; 2) Minister in church and serve the elderly 
and shut-in the county; 3) Fire Coordinator and Fire Consultant 
(Jefferson & Claiborne )--established new Fire Grading Districts; 
Earned Class 8 and 9 Ratings and enlisted over 100 volunteers in each 
county.
  Richard is married to Carla Robinson Buford, who is a special 
education teacher in the Jefferson County Elementary School District. 
They are the proud parents of three adult children--Marilyn, Richard 
Jr. and Ella.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. 
Richard Buford, the 2022 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year, for his 
outstanding service and commitment.

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