85R13817 CJM-D
By: Hernandez H.R. No. 721
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A delegation from the Houston East End Chamber of
Commerce is visiting the Capitol City on March 6 and 7, 2017, and
this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the
organization for its many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Predating the founding of the city of Houston, the
East End can trace its origins to the 1820s, when New York
entrepreneur John Harris established Harrisburg at the
intersection of Braes and Buffalo Bayous; after briefly serving as
the capital of the Republic of Texas, the town was annexed by
Houston in 1926; today, the East End remains a location of great
importance as the proud home of the Port of Houston, one of the
nation's foremost ports for international trade and one of the
largest port facilities in the world; and
WHEREAS, The Houston East End Chamber of Commerce was founded
in 1991 to ensure the economic prosperity of the area; guided by
this central goal, the chamber hosts a wide range of programs and
events that encourage new commercial ventures and support existing
businesses, including luncheons, seminars, committee meetings,
golf tournaments, and an annual awards celebration; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, the chamber created the Strategic Vision
for the East End, which identified six key priorities: economic
development, educational resources, history, image,
infrastructure, and parks and neighborhoods; the chamber and its
partners have since made outstanding progress, establishing an
Economic Development Division in 2009 and the East End Street Fest
in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to equipping the next generation with the
knowledge and skills necessary to succeed, the chamber has awarded
$250,000 in scholarships over the past decade; moreover, the
organization started a half-day Education Symposium and helped
organize Port of Houston Maritime Academies at Stephen F. Austin
and Jack Yates High Schools as well as a National Engineering
Academy at Chavez High School; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the East End Chamber of
Commerce has worked to enhance the business environment of Houston
by providing excellent opportunities for networking, promotion,
and education, and in so doing, the group has significantly
contributed to the economic vitality of Southeast Texas; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce
for its exemplary efforts in behalf of the East End community and
the surrounding area and extend to its membership sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the chamber as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.