| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, For the past five years, the Greater Houston LGBT |
|
|
Chamber of Commerce has been a voice and an advocate for lesbian, |
|
|
gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer + business owners in the |
|
|
Houston area; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Established on February 24, 2016, the chamber has |
|
|
dedicated itself from the start to building a strong network of |
|
|
businesses and to promoting economic inclusion and equality; an |
|
|
affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the Houston |
|
|
affiliate was founded by Tammi Wallace and Gary Wood, and it |
|
|
continues to benefit from the able leadership of Ms. Wallace, who |
|
|
serves as president and CEO; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Among its many initiatives, the Chamber empowers |
|
|
LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through connection and community, sponsorship |
|
|
offerings, volunteer opportunities, and numerous events, such as |
|
|
Brewing Up Business, the Biz Connect Mixer, and Pride in Business; |
|
|
furthermore, it connects its members with the LGBTBE® |
|
|
Certification program, which provides access to a national network |
|
|
and valuable resources and economic opportunities; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In addition to its work with businesses, the Chamber |
|
|
has made outstanding contributions to the wider LGBTQ+ community; |
|
|
as one of four members of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, it |
|
|
advocates for legislation that supports inclusion and opposes |
|
|
discrimination; moreover, the group established the Chamber |
|
|
Foundation in 2020 to advance its charitable and educational |
|
|
objectives and to address economic inequality through various |
|
|
projects, including an annual holiday food drive; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, By empowering LGBTQ+ businesses and their allies, |
|
|
the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is working to develop a |
|
|
supportive, diverse, and prosperous environment throughout the |
|
|
region; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby honor the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of |
|
|
Commerce on the occasion of its fifth anniversary and extend to all |
|
|
those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for |
|
|
continued success; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the Chamber as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |