[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1695-E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             HUMBLE HISTORY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor and a privilege 
to represent the great City of Humble and the best folks in Texas. I 
live right outside the city line, over in Atascocita. But I have always 
considered Humble my home. If folks ask me where I live, I reply 
Humble. There are two ways to pronounce Humble--the right way and the 
wrong way. The right way is Umble (the H is silent). Towns like Humble, 
Texas are why so many new folks and businesses continue to move to 
Texas. It is only fitting that Humble was founded by a little-known 
hero, Joseph Dunman, who some believe is the true father of Humble.
  In 1836, William Barret Travis penned his famous letter from the 
Alamo, ``The Travis Letter.'' Travis pledged he would ``never surrender 
or retreat,'' swearing ``victory or death.'' Travis's letter requesting 
reinforcements at the Alamo was delivered by Joseph Dunman. The most 
famous letter in Texas history was delivered by horseback from the 
Alamo to Liberty, Texas by a volunteer. Dunman not only volunteered but 
he survived. Dunman like Travis believed in these words that the cause 
for independence was his life. Dunman was a true freedom fighter that 
understood America is worth fighting for and that defeat is not an 
option.
  Unfortunately, Travis' call for help was not answered in time. 
Commander Travis and 187 volunteers sacrificed their lives after 13 
glorious days at the Alamo. After delivering the letter to Liberty, 
Texas, Dunman rode on to Anahuac to spread the message to the colonist. 
Now the rest is as they say--Texas history. The Battle of San Jacinto 
was fought. General Sam Houston and his men defeated Santa Anna winning 
Texas' Independence.
  In the 1840s Dunman received a land grant that would later become the 
city of Humble. In 1844, he acquired over 177 acres on the

[[Page E1696]]

banks of the San Jacinto River. He also raised cattle. By 1854, more 
than sixteen families settled around what was known as the Joseph 
Dunman settlement.
  After the war, Dunman continued working for the Republic of Texas by 
driving and fencing cattle for Fort Galveston.
  Because of men like Joseph Dunman, Texas is the great State that it 
is today. His legacy embodies the passion and loyalty that make Texans 
stand out around the world. The backbone of our nation was formed from 
hardworking citizens like Joseph Dunman. He is an example not only to 
those from Humble, but to all citizens of our great Nation.
  The Dunman family always found a way to give back to their beloved 
Humble. They used their home as a polling location for the Republic of 
Texas and Harris County elections. Joseph Dunman's son, Joseph W. 
Dunman, opened the very first school in 1873. The school was called Joe 
Dunman's Schoolhouse. It was the only school in the district. The 
district is now called the Humble Independent School District.
  Beginning as a small sawmill town, Humble was home to rugged Texas 
ranchers, farmers, and loggers. In 1869, a Civil War veteran named 
Pleasant Humble moved to Harris County. He purchased prime land from 
the Dunman family along the south side of the San Jacinto River. Humble 
opened a grocery store and ran the existing ferry. He soon took over 
the responsibility of the mail.
  One of the best things about Texas is the fact that Texas towns each 
have their own unique history. There are hundreds of stories about 
towns and their colorful past and the settlers who founded them. 
However, the most interesting part of their unique history is how each 
town received its name. According to local historian Dr. Robert Meaux, 
``legend states that mail carriers from other towns were instructed to 
``deliver to Humble'' meaning Pleasant Humble. Through continued use of 
this phrase, ``Humble'' eventually became the name of the town.'' In 
1886, Pleasant Humble became the first postmaster of Humble. He was 
also Commissioner of Harris County and elected to Justice of the Peace 
for Harris County Precinct 4 in 1887 to 1895.
  The name Bender should sound familiar to Humble folks. Bender Avenue, 
Aldine-Bender Road, and Charles Bender High School were all named after 
Charles Bender Sr. In 1889, Bender purchased a sawmill and moved it to 
Humble. The sale included thousands of acres of timberland. C. Bender 
and Sons became a very successful lumber company. They shipped wood all 
over the world. Bender was a very generous man. He built houses for his 
employees and allowed them to purchase them from his company.
  In 1904 Bender filed an official street plan for the town of Humble, 
which is still in use today. The four main streets in town were named 
after four oil pioneers drilling in Humble: Higgins, Barrett, 
Granberry, and Staiti. The Bender family were hardworking, well-
educated, God fearing Americans who emigrated from Germany believing 
the impossible. Recently the City of Humble renovated the abandoned 
Charles Bender High School and converted it into the Charles Bender 
Performing Arts Center. Hung over the top of one of the doors at 
Charles Bender High School read ``Impossible Is Un-American.'' This 
motto was true of the Bender family.

  Modern amenities were brought to Humble at the turn of the 20th 
century. They opened a bank, a theater and skating rink known as the 
Opera House, utility companies, a hardware store and saloons. 
Influential leader and citizen, Ross Sterling, moved to Humble in 1904. 
After completing a fourth grade level education, he began working as a 
clerk at the age of 12. The experience led him at the age of 21 to 
launch his own feed store. Sterling could have taught a course about 
the hardworking man--Work Ethic 101. In 1910, Sterling's big break came 
when he purchased two oil wells, leading to the charter of The Humble 
Oil and Refining Company, which later became Exxon. Sterling went to 
open many banks, one of which is Humble State Bank. He also was a 
newspaper publisher after buying the Houston Post, and owned KPRC radio 
station. He went on to become the governor of Texas from 1931 to 1933. 
In all of his endeavors, he always found a way to give back to his 
community. He left a legacy long after his death. Ross Sterling Middle 
School in Humble is named in his honor.
  The 10s and 20s roared in with the founding of oil. Oil derricks made 
of wood covered Moonshine Hill and Humble. The first oil boom in Humble 
was made up of shallow wells that formed lakes of oil around the 
derricks. What a sight. As a result, Humble grew along with the 
refinery when oil roughnecks began purchasing homes in and around the 
town.
  They weathered the depression better than most in the 30s and the 
40s. And they solidified the Greatest Generation in our Nation's 
history. Humble is home to many heroes who served in the military 
during this time. One such hero who lives in Humble is Tom Morgan. Tom 
volunteered to serve his country during WW2. He joined the Marines in 
1942 and was deployed and assigned to island hopping along Southeast 
Asia. Despite contracting malaria, he continued to serve our country. 
He then served as a reservist, and again deployed for his country in 
the Korean War. But he was not done serving. He worked the pipelines 
for 30 years and raised 3 kids in Humble. He retired, but felt lazy, so 
he answered an ad in the paper for positions with the Harris County 
Sheriff Office as a reserve officer. At the age of 72, he was the 
oldest cadet to ever graduate from the academy.
  For 26 years, he has put on a badge and a gun to protect and serve 
the people and communities that he loves. At the age of 98, Tom Morgan 
is retiring as the oldest active lawman in the state of Texas. He still 
lives in Humble.
  The McKay family name is well-known in Humble. Dr. Haden Edwards 
McKay II brought his family to Humble in 1919. He practiced medicine 
and served on the Humble ISD School Board. His son, Haden Edwards McKay 
III, followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a physician, too. 
He became known as Dr. McKay Jr. He started practicing medicine in 1938 
in Humble. He met his wife, Lillian, a nurse at St. Joseph's hospital 
and they were married in 1941. That same year, Dr. McKay built a white 
limestone house for his new bride, in Humble. This home is considered a 
piece of local history. Another Humble landmark is the McKay Clinic, 
which is now a museum thanks to the efforts of Mrs. McKay. Dr. McKay 
saw patients at that clinic until his death in 1996. I cannot imagine 
what Humble would be like today, had it not been for the McKay's. The 
city thrives because of their work and tireless efforts. Dr. McKay 
served as the mayor of Humble for 24 years and Lillian was the First 
Lady.
  Bringing in air conditioning, the baby boom, and the Vietnam War the 
50s and 60s presented many more changes to the small town. The 50s was 
the beginning of an economic boom in Humble. Population of Humble 
increased as many families moved to the suburbs to escape the City of 
Houston. In 1969, Houston's largest airport, now called George Bush 
Intercontinetal Airport, was built on the west side of Humble. The 70s 
saw the biggest rise in fame and fortune with the oil boom, but was 
followed by the biggest fall from grace in the 80s. Nonetheless, Humble 
emerged unscathed in the 90s and continued to thrive. Not to say there 
were not hard times over the years. They had their share of hurricanes 
and fires--the latest was Hurricane Harvey. And we all know the damage 
Harvey poured onto Humble. But Humble proved Texas Strong. It is truly 
a city rich in history, pride, and perseverance.
  Humble's fire and police departments are among the best in Texas. As 
a prosecutor and Judge for over 30 years, I have had the privilege of 
working alongside some of America's best, the men and women in blue. 
Each day they wake up, place the badge--the shield--over their heart 
and head out into our communities to protect us. It has been and honor 
to call many first responders in Humble, my friend.
  It has been an honor to represent the citizens of Humble, Texas in 
the United States House of Representatives. I am proud to have worked 
with Retired Humble Mayor McMannes, Humble Mayor Merle Aarons, and the 
city council on numerous projects concerning the city. I commend them 
for their leadership in helping Humble grow.
  I look forward to seeing Humble continue to prosper in the future.
  And that's just the way it is.

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