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