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.