H.C.R. No. 127
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Westchase District in Houston is celebrating its
20th anniversary in 2015, and this special milestone provides a
fitting opportunity to take note of the success of this unique
neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, This business management district was established
by the 74th Texas Legislature in 1995 with the passage of S.B. 1601,
authored by J. E. "Buster" Brown and sponsored by Sylvester Turner,
and of H.B. 3204, authored by Joe Nixon; governed by a volunteer
board of property owners and representatives, the district has
maintained an assessment rate of 0.9 percent since its inception,
and it is home to some 2,000 businesses, including such major
employers as Aker Solutions, BMC Software, Cameron International,
Phillips 66, Samsung Engineering, Halliburton, and other
enterprises; since the district's creation, the assessed value of
its buildings and land has grown from $850 million in 1995 to $4.2
billion today; and
WHEREAS, Improvements in Westchase through the years have
included the planting of thousands of trees, shrubs, and flowering
plants, as well as the installation of custom-branded street signs
and mobility enhancements to the area's roads and streets and the
creation of the Library Loop trail; the district employs 30 police
officers who supplement the work of the Houston Police Department,
providing 15,000 additional hours of patrols each year; and
WHEREAS, The district's annual Corporate Challenge,
Wonderland in Westchase, and Summer Food Drive help to engage
businesses and residents, and its charitable organization, the
Westchase District Community Fund, has donated more than $200,000
to local organizations; an e-newsletter, The Wire, reaches 10,000
readers twice a month, and a farmer's market each week provides
residents and employees with locally grown fresh produce; and
WHEREAS, The Westchase District includes parts of the house
districts of Representatives Jim Murphy, Gene Wu, Hubert Vo, Borris
Miles, Alma Allen, Sarah Davis, and John Zerwas, as well as parts of
the senate districts of Senators Joan Huffman, Paul Bettencourt,
and Rodney Ellis; and
WHEREAS, For two decades, the Westchase District has
contributed to the prosperity of Houston, creating a welcoming
environment for many successful businesses and a comfortable
setting for those who live or work in the area; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the
Westchase District and extend to its governing board, business
owners, and residents sincere best wishes for continued success.
Wu
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 127 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 127 was adopted by the Senate on May
21, 2015, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor