By Noriega                                             H.R. No. 172
         77R5103 MJS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On February 13, 2001, many proud residents from
 1-2     Houston's East End will gather in Austin to celebrate East End Day
 1-3     at the State Capitol; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, This historic area was founded in 1826 as the
 1-5     settlement of Harrisburg and holds the unique distinctions of being
 1-6     one of the first capitals of the Republic of Texas and home of the
 1-7     first Lone Star State flag; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Once known as the city where "17 railroads meet the
 1-9     sea," the East End underwent a dramatic transformation in 1919 with
1-10     the widening of the Houston Ship Channel, which brought increased
1-11     industry to the area; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Officially becoming part of Houston when Harrisburg
1-13     was annexed in 1927, the East End area serves as the city's
1-14     transportation hub; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Today, the Port of Houston generates $7.7 billion in
1-16     annual revenue for the city and affects approximately 250,000 jobs
1-17     in the Lone Star State; moreover, the second largest petrochemical
1-18     complex in the world is located in the East End's 25-square-mile
1-19     boundaries; and
1-20           WHEREAS, With continued development through the years, the
1-21     East End has become Houston's most industrialized area and includes
1-22     oil refineries, various manufacturing and warehousing companies,
1-23     and many other business enterprises; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Members of the East End Chamber of Commerce are
 2-1     diligently working to ensure the area has a robust and evolving
 2-2     economy by promoting its diversity and rich culture and heritage;
 2-3     and
 2-4           WHEREAS, The people living and working in Houston's East End
 2-5     take great pride in contributing to the city's growth and
 2-6     prosperity, and it is indeed a privilege to pay tribute to them at
 2-7     this time; now, therefore, be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-9     Legislature hereby recognize February 13, 2001, as East End Day at
2-10     the State Capitol and extend to all those associated with this
2-11     storied Houston area sincere best wishes for success and happiness
2-12     in their future endeavors.