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.