81R24906 MMS-D
By: Hernandez H.R. No. 1382
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Representatives of the East End Chamber of Commerce
in Houston are visiting the State Capitol on April 16, 2009, to
celebrate the rich heritage and bright prospects of a notable
corner of the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, The Houston East End encompasses the former city of
Harrisburg, which was platted in 1826, 10 years before the founding
of Houston itself; a shipping center for the early Texas colonies,
Harrisburg became the seat of government for Harrisburg
Municipality in December 1835, and it served as the capital of the
Republic of Texas from March 22 to April 13, 1836; burned shortly
thereafter by the Mexican Army, the town was rebuilt and
incorporated in 1837; Harrisburg enjoyed the distinction of being
the site of the first steam sawmill, grist mills, and railroad
terminal in Texas; the community was annexed by Houston in 1926; and
WHEREAS, Today the East End is the proud home of the Port of
Houston, one of the largest ports in the world; the Port of Houston
is ranked first in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in total
tonnage in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, the East End Chamber of Commerce, in
partnership with the Greater East End Management District and with
the input of nearly 300 stakeholders, completed the Strategic
Vision, a program to guide the development of the East End over the
following decade; the Strategic Vision identified six priorities to
be addressed: the area's economic development, educational
resources, history, image, infrastructure, and parks and
neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, The chamber of commerce and its partners have made
great strides already toward realizing the goals of this ambitious
plan; major achievements include the initiation of a National
Engineering Academy at Chavez High School, the creation of two Port
of Houston Maritime Academies, scheduled to open at Austin High
School and Yates High School in August 2009, and the establishment
of an Economic Development Division to retain current businesses
and attract new enterprises to the East End; and
WHEREAS, Together with the residential community, the East
End Chamber of Commerce is striving to ensure that development in
the area is conducive to enhancing the quality of life of all who
live there, and it is a privilege to commend this dynamic
organization for its forward-looking leadership and civic
engagement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 16, 2009, as East End Chamber of
Commerce Day at the State Capitol and extend to all the chamber
members who have traveled to Austin best wishes for an enjoyable and
memorable visit; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the East End Chamber of Commerce as an expression of
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.