H.R. No. 1977

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Proud residents of Kemah celebrated the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of their community on March 20, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Situated on a half-moon inlet of Galveston Bay at the entrance to Clear Lake, this picturesque waterfront community was known as Evergreen when it was established on the Texas and New Orleans Railroad in 1898; for a time, when the railroad was hauling large quantities of seashell out of the area, it was also known as Shell Siding; and

WHEREAS, In 1907, it was renamed Kemah, an Indian word that means "facing the wind," for the steady, refreshing breezes that blow off the Gulf of Mexico; in the 1920s, the town was a center for shrimping and the oil and ship-building industries, and from Prohibition until the 1950s, it enjoyed a lively reputation as the home of bootleggers and illegal casinos; and

WHEREAS, Incorporated in March 1965, Kemah thrives today as a getaway for residents of Houston and Galveston; a marina was constructed in the 1980s, and since 1997, the Kemah Boardwalk has drawn countless visitors with its family-friendly entertainment complex, featuring shops, restaurants, a boutique hotel, and fairground rides; and

WHEREAS, Blessed with a colorful history and a beautiful location on the Gulf of Mexico, the residents of Kemah may take great pride in their community as they work together to preserve its charm and build a bright future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Kemah and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness.

Bonnen of Galveston

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1977 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House