[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E169-E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  HONORING DAN TIDWELL AND JAMIE MIZE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dan Tidwell and Jamie 
Mize. On February 16, 2002, Diverse Works Artspace, will host its 
Illumination Gala which will honor Dan and Jamie as two of Houston's 
most enlightened contemporary art champions. Diverse Works Artspace is 
a non-profit art center dedicated to presenting new visual, performing, 
and literary art. Known for its ground-breaking artistic education 
programs, Diverse Works is one of the most prominent contemporary art 
centers in the United States. Diverse Works serves as a venue for 
artistic exploration and audience development.
  Dan Tidwell and Jamie Mize are longtime businessmen and 
philanthropists who pioneered the revitalization of Houston's Historic 
Downtown District. In 1978, Dan and Jamie opened their first 
restaurant, Treebeards, in Houston's historic Market Square as a tiny 
establishment hosting only 30 guests. Today,

[[Page E170]]

Treebeards has grown to four locations in both downtown Houston and 
Dallas and in 1999 was named ``Best Downtown Restaurant'' by the 
readers of the Houston Press. The rebuilding of the Treebeards' Market 
Square location marked one of the many restoration endeavors taken on 
by the pair. In 1999, they reconstructed the Scholibo building, rebuilt 
the canopy and restored the facade of the 1861 Baker-Myer Building.
  Dan and Jamie have both served as Chair of the Downtown Historic 
District Board. In an effort to rejuvenate downtown Houston, they have 
provided direction to neighboring businesses on issues ranging from 
building design to parking management. Jamie currently serves as a 
member of the Design Review/Grants Committee, which awards facade 
rehabilitation matching grants to property owners and tenants. 
Additionally, he chaired the committee on Parking Management, as a 
result of their work, the City of Houston has adopted a Valet 
Ordinance. In collaboration with Diverse Works, Dan and Jamie designed 
Market Square Park, which features historic photographs and fragments 
of long demolished buildings.
  In addition to serving as Chair of the Downtown Historic District 
Board and managing an establishment, Dan and Jamie have been actively 
involved in humanitarian efforts. Their exceptional leadership in the 
community has earned the respect of many in both the business and civic 
communities. They have contributed to the improvement of our community 
by providing countless meals for charity events, volunteering for 
Diverse Works Galas, and feeding the hungry through the End Hunger 
Network.
  No one has done more to improve Houston's Historic Market Square 
District than Dan and Jamie. Through their exemplary model of community 
activism, they were named ``Downtowners'' of the Year 1999,'' awarded 
two ``Gold Brick Awards'' from the Greater Houston Preservation 
Alliance and received the highest honor for historic preservation from 
the American Planning Association, Houston Affiliation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate my friends, 
Dan Tidwell and Jamie Mize, on the occasion of their being recognized 
for their significant commitment to the Arts.

                          ____________________