H.R. No. 105 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Since its inception more than 75 years ago, the 1-2 Jasper Chamber of Commerce has been a driving force in bringing 1-3 economic prosperity to the citizens of this charming East Texas 1-4 city; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This group first met informally on November 7, 1919, 1-6 at a banquet at the Belle-Jim Hotel, where local businessmen 1-7 gathered to discuss the many pressing economic issues facing their 1-8 rural community; led by toastmaster Captain Charles C. Ingram, the 1-9 distinguished gentlemen in attendance resolved to create the Jasper 1-10 Chamber of Commerce, an organization dedicated to making Jasper a 1-11 better place in which to work, live, and raise a family; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The group's second meeting, held two weeks later, 1-13 met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the community and 1-14 was the occasion of the association's first officer elections; 1-15 those chosen to serve as the first leaders of the Jasper Chamber of 1-16 Commerce included president L. M. Autrey, vice president J. H. 1-17 Seale, secretary C. R. Markley, and treasurer W. P. Smith; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Before this exceptional organization was formed, the 1-19 residents of Jasper faced great adversity in their struggle to 1-20 build a better future for themselves and for their children; still 1-21 unincorporated, the town of Jasper was a rural community without 1-22 the modern infrastructure needed for economic growth and 1-23 diversification; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Rising to the occasion, the Jasper Chamber of 2-1 Commerce played a key role in bringing modern highways and roads to 2-2 Jasper and was instrumental in the development of the area's 2-3 successful tourist industry; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Due in large part to the tremendous efforts of the 2-5 Jasper Chamber of Commerce, the town's hardworking citizens have 2-6 built a strong economy based on tourism, agribusiness, retail 2-7 sales, fishing, oil production, and timber processing; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Throughout its long history, the Jasper Chamber of 2-9 Commerce has helped bring jobs and economic prosperity to the 2-10 citizens of Jasper and has provided invaluable assistance to local 2-11 business owners and managers, and, under the able guidance of 2-12 president Reagan Stephenson, president-elect Bill Snelson, vice 2-13 president Paul T. David, and treasurer LaDonna Jones, this 2-14 outstanding organization will continue to expand economic 2-15 opportunity for all residents of the Jasper community; now, 2-16 therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby commend the members and officers of the Jasper 2-19 Chamber of Commerce for their remarkable success in promoting 2-20 economic growth and vitality within their community and state; and, 2-21 be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for prominent display at the Jasper Chamber of Commerce as 2-24 an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.