By Farrar H.R. No. 482 76R9856 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 welcome members of five Houston-area chambers of commerce to the 1-3 State Capitol on this day; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Participating in today's visit are members of the 1-5 Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership, 1-6 the Greater Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Southwest 1-7 Chamber of Commerce, and Houston West Chamber of Commerce; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Leaders from these notable organizations support the 1-9 shared goal of augmenting economic prosperity in the Houston 1-10 region, which currently enjoys a cost-of-living index that is 16 1-11 percent below the national average for urban areas and a per capita 1-12 after-tax income that is 10.6 percent above the national average; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, Houston ranks fourth among metropolitan areas in the 1-15 number of Fortune 500 company corporate headquarters, and the city 1-16 is home to 12 of 1997's Fortune 100 Fastest Growing Companies; in 1-17 addition, the Port of Houston is the world's eighth-busiest and 1-18 this country's second most heavily trafficked and ranks first in 1-19 U.S. ports for foreign and import tonnage; and 1-20 WHEREAS, An ideal place for shoppers and diners as well, the 1-21 Houston region places 11th nationally in retail sales and offers 1-22 food for every taste with 29 national or regional cuisines 1-23 available; business travelers may choose from 31 general aviation 1-24 airports throughout the area, or they may take advantage of the 2-1 more than 25,000 miles of public roads, streets, and highways; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Through the years, the Greater Houston region has 2-3 played a vital role in the thriving economy of the Lone Star State 2-4 and greatly benefited countless Texans; now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-6 Legislature hereby recognize March 22, 1999, as Houston Region Day 2-7 at the State Capitol and extend warmest best wishes to the members 2-8 of the delegation who are visiting on this day.