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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Representatives of the East End Chamber of Commerce |
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in Houston are visiting the State Capitol on April 16, 2009, to |
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celebrate the rich heritage and bright prospects of a notable |
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corner of the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, The Houston East End encompasses the former city of |
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Harrisburg, which was platted in 1826, 10 years before the founding |
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of Houston itself; a shipping center for the early Texas colonies, |
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Harrisburg became the seat of government for Harrisburg |
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Municipality in December 1835, and it served as the capital of the |
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Republic of Texas from March 22 to April 13, 1836; burned shortly |
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thereafter by the Mexican Army, the town was rebuilt and |
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incorporated in 1837; Harrisburg enjoyed the distinction of being |
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the site of the first steam sawmill, grist mills, and railroad |
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terminal in Texas; the community was annexed by Houston in 1926; and |
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WHEREAS, Today the East End is the proud home of the Port of |
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Houston, one of the largest ports in the world; the Port of Houston |
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is ranked first in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in total |
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tonnage in the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2006, the East End Chamber of Commerce, in |
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partnership with the Greater East End Management District and with |
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the input of nearly 300 stakeholders, completed the Strategic |
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Vision, a program to guide the development of the East End over the |
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following decade; the Strategic Vision identified six priorities to |
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be addressed: the area's economic development, educational |
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resources, history, image, infrastructure, and parks and |
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neighborhoods; and |
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WHEREAS, The chamber of commerce and its partners have made |
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great strides already toward realizing the goals of this ambitious |
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plan; major achievements include the initiation of a National |
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Engineering Academy at Chavez High School, the creation of two Port |
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of Houston Maritime Academies, scheduled to open at Austin High |
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School and Yates High School in August 2009, and the establishment |
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of an Economic Development Division to retain current businesses |
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and attract new enterprises to the East End; and |
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WHEREAS, Together with the residential community, the East |
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End Chamber of Commerce is striving to ensure that development in |
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the area is conducive to enhancing the quality of life of all who |
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live there, and it is a privilege to commend this dynamic |
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organization for its forward-looking leadership and civic |
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engagement; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 16, 2009, as East End Chamber of |
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Commerce Day at the State Capitol and extend to all the chamber |
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members who have traveled to Austin best wishes for an enjoyable and |
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memorable visit; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the East End Chamber of Commerce as an expression of |
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high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |