TITLE: Congratulating the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016; and WHEREAS, The chamber was founded in 1916 to foster economic growth and serve as a voice for the business community; the organization's early advocacy was instrumental in the construction of a seawall to avert flooding, as well as in the creation of the Port of Corpus Christi in 1926; today, the port ranks as the sixth largest in the nation; and WHEREAS, Soon after its establishment, the chamber recognized the importance of tourism, and it bought land that was later used for the city's first golf course; before World War II, members of the organization began persuading military and government officials to build a base in the area, and the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station opened in 1941; and WHEREAS, Over the years, the chamber has enhanced recreational opportunities for tourists and residents alike through its endeavors in behalf of the area's natural resources; it has supported the conservation of the Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park and the establishment of the Texas State Aquarium for the study of plants and animals native to the Gulf of Mexico; and WHEREAS, While assisting in business recruitment and serving the needs of small businesses, the chamber has also been involved in numerous projects in recent years; it played a key role in winning voter approval to raise the JFK Causeway over the Packery Channel, and it promoted the repair of the seawall and the expansion of the Convention Center; in addition, it has advanced such causes as the Harbor Bridge, Interstate Highway 37, the Wesley Seale and Choke Canyon Dams, and the merger of Texas A&M University with Corpus Christi State University; and WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce has greatly benefited the city and the region over the course of its long history, and it is indeed appropriate to recognize its outstanding contributions to the Coastal Bend community as it marks this significant milestone; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce on its centennial and extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued success in their important work; 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. Herrero Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 702 was adopted by the House on March 5, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House