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.