1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 187
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-4     recognize February 13, 2001, as East End Day at the Capitol; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Houston's historic East End was born in 1826, when
 1-6     the settlement of Harrisburg was founded by John Richard Harris at
 1-7     the junction of Buffalo and Brays bayous; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Harrisburg briefly became the first capital of the
 1-9     Texas Republic and was the home of the first lone star flag; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Early in its history, Harrisburg became an
1-11     important transportation center for the Gulf Coast area; after the
1-12     Civil War, Harrisburg became known as the city where "17 railroads
1-13     meet the sea"; and
1-14           WHEREAS, The widening of the Houston Ship Channel in
1-15     1919 only increased Harrisburg's significance as an important
1-16     transportation hub; the city was annexed by Houston in December,
1-17     1927; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Today, old Harrisburg, now Houston's East End,
1-19     continues to be vital to the economic functioning of not only the
1-20     Texas Gulf Coast, but also of the entire state; the Port of Houston
1-21     generates $7.7 billion in annual revenues for the city and
 2-1     affects 250,000 jobs in Texas; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Houston's East End is the home of the
 2-3     second-largest petrochemical complex in the world, and the
 2-4     banks of the ship channel are filled with oil refineries and
 2-5     the businesses that serve them; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, In this new millennium, the East End's top priority
 2-7     is to encourage economic rejuvenation within the area; the East End
 2-8     Chamber of Commerce, an association of business and community
 2-9     leaders, is working to promote a greater sense of community pride,
2-10     make infrastructure improvements, and provide better educational
2-11     opportunities for residents; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Those who are working to revitalize the East End
2-13     have already met with success; retail growth is escalating, and old
2-14     shopping centers are being refurbished; a historic Texas community
2-15     whose residents are working to preserve their rich past and create
2-16     a brighter future, Houston's East End greatly deserves a day of
2-17     recognition at our state Capitol; now, therefore, be it
2-18           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-19     77th Legislature, hereby express its appreciation to the people
2-20     of the East End of Houston for the many contributions they have
2-21     made to our state and extend best wishes to them for a successful
2-22     East End Day in Austin; and, be it further
2-23           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-1     residents of the East End of Houston as a memento of this jubilant
 3-2     occasion.
 3-3                                                                Gallegos
 3-4                                  ______________________________________
 3-5                                          President of the Senate
 3-6                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-7                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-8                                  on February 13, 2001.
 3-9                                  ______________________________________
3-10                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-11                                  ______________________________________
3-12                                           Member, Texas Senate