[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 4 (Friday, January 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CITY OF BELLAIRE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                       HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. CULBERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the City of 
Bellaire's 100th Anniversary. The prosperous and tranquil neighborhoods 
of Bellaire, Texas exemplify why so many new people and businesses move 
to Texas every day. The people of Bellaire take pride in their thriving 
city, which was founded in 1908 alongside the City of Houston. I grew 
up in West University Place, right next door, and I experienced what 
every young person in Bellaire enjoys today--the comfort and joy of 
growing up in a small town, even though we were in the middle of one of 
the biggest cities in America.
  One of Houston's greatest strengths is the small town feel of 
neighborhoods all over Harris County, and nowhere is that small town 
safety, security, and prosperity stronger than Bellaire. The people of 
Bellaire look after one another, and take pride in their city and their 
neighborhoods and fill up every parking spot for blocks around whenever 
there is a parent meeting at a local school.
  When Hurricane Ike knocked down trees and damaged property and 
knocked out the power, the people of Bellaire showed once again why 
their beautiful city is so successful. They did not sit around and wait 
for the federal government to help them. Neighbors simply pulled out 
their chain saws, and their hammers and tools and walked door to door 
on their street to see who needed help. Elderly or infirm residents 
were helped by their next door neighbors in the very best spirit of 
America.
  Bellaire's small town roots go back to its founding six miles outside 
of Houston in 1908 by William Wright Baldwin. In 1918, when Bellaire 
was incorporated as an independent city, its population was 200, and 
during World War II the city grew rapidly. By 1948, the City of Houston 
had completely surrounded Bellaire, yet Bellaire has always maintained 
its independence as a home rule city.
  Bellaire's fire and police departments are among the best in Texas. 
Building on a strong foundation of neighbors helping neighbors, 
Bellaire's firemen and policemen have helped make Bellaire one of the 
safest cities in America. People from all over Texas and America 
continue to vote with their feet and their dollars by moving their 
homes and businesses to Bellaire at a time when other communities 
across the nation are shrinking.
  Bellaire was a part of the Seventh Congressional District in 1966 
when the District's first Congressman was future President George H. W. 
Bush, who was followed by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means 
Committee Bill Archer. Population growth in the greater Houston area 
caused District 7 to be drawn farther west until 2006, when Bellaire 
once again became part of this historic congressional district.
  As someone who grew up next door in West University, with many fond 
memories of Bellaire, I am especially proud to represent the people of 
this great city as their Congressman in Washington, D.C. It gives me 
great pleasure to congratulate the people of Bellaire on building one 
of the safest, most prosperous, and most pleasant cities in America 
over the last 100 years, and I will always do everything I can to 
preserve, protect, and defend Bellaire's wonderful quality of life for 
the generations that will follow us in the next 100 years.
  Congratulations Bellaire.

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