By:  Patterson                                         S.R. No. 762
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pleasure
    1-3  in extending hearty congratulations to the Galveston Chamber of
    1-4  Commerce on the grand occasion of its 150th anniversary; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, The oldest chamber of commerce in continuous
    1-6  operation in the State of Texas, the Galveston Chamber of Commerce
    1-7  was chartered on February 3, 1845, by an act of the Ninth Congress
    1-8  of the Republic of Texas; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, The Galveston Chamber of Commerce has held the same
   1-10  mission for 150 years:  to improve the business climate of the city,
   1-11  to increase business activity, and to address community development
   1-12  issues that will improve the quality of life on Galveston Island;
   1-13  and
   1-14        WHEREAS, The Galveston Chamber of Commerce has provided the
   1-15  necessary leadership for the city throughout its long and productive
   1-16  history; it headed up the rebuilding process for Galveston after the
   1-17  devastating Great Galveston Storm on September 8 and 9, 1900, the
   1-18  worst natural disaster in United States history, when the hurricane
   1-19  wreaked havoc all across the island; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, The chamber has been at the forefront of the city's
   1-21  tourist industry and helped bring national attention to Galveston
   1-22  with the early splash days and bathing beauty reviews, as well as
   1-23  other special events; Galveston continues to be one of the favorite
    2-1  vacation spots in the state; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, The Galveston Chamber of Commerce started the Beach
    2-3  Replenishment Committee in Galveston that resulted in 51 city blocks
    2-4  of new sand beaches for the community and the State of Texas; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, The Port of Galveston was the state's first major
    2-6  port which served as the commercial link of the Texas Republic with
    2-7  the rest of the world; today, it is a modern port that handles ships
    2-8  from throughout the world and is so successful in its operation
    2-9  that it is the only major port facility in the United States not
   2-10  supported by public funds; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, The Galveston Chamber of Commerce looks forward to
   2-12  serving commerce in Galveston and the State of Texas for the next
   2-13  150 years; now, therefore, be it
   2-14        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-15  74th Legislature, hereby commend and applaud the Galveston
   2-16  Chamber of Commerce and extend best wishes to its members for
   2-17  a most enjoyable and rewarding 150th anniversary celebration
   2-18  during the week of April 24, 1995; and, be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
   2-20  event as a memento of this historic milestone.
   2-21                               ______________________________________
   2-22                                       President of the Senate
   2-23                                    I hereby certify that the above
   2-24                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
   2-25                               on April 21, 1995.
    3-1                               ______________________________________
    3-2                                       Secretary of the Senate
    3-3                               ______________________________________
    3-4                                        Member, Texas Senate