[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 147 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       RECOGNIZING THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. DAN CRENSHAW

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 20, 2024

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a tremendous 
community in my district, The Woodlands, Texas, as it celebrates its 
50th Anniversary on October 19th.
  In the late 1960s and early 1970s, George Mitchell began developing 
plans for a new hometown called The Woodlands. Mr. Mitchell's vision 
was for an all-encompassing, integrated community where residents could 
live, work, play, learn and pray among a natural forested and preserved 
environment.
  Beginning with the modest purchase in 1964 of 2,800 acres from the 
Grogan Cochran Lumber Company, over the next decade Mr. Mitchell would 
invest in an additional 17,455 acres as a start to the master planned 
community. The first public school opened in 1971, and The Woodlands 
celebrated its grand opening with the opening of the Village of 
Grogan's Mill on October 19, 1974.
  A master planned community far ahead of its time, Mr. Mitchell 
created in The Woodlands a thoughtful and diverse living experience 
that balanced the spirit of neighborhood life with business and 
innovation, all nestled within a grounded natural setting.
  Over its five decades, The Woodlands has grown to include nine 
residential villages, The Woodlands Town Center, Hughes Landing and the 
Woodlands Waterway, the community's nexus of business and 
entertainment. The Woodlands boasts some of the highest ranked schools 
in the greater Houston region, award-winning medical and wellness 
centers, and places of worship of virtually every denomination. Today, 
approximately, 2,668 businesses, including the headquarters of major 
corporations, are based in The Woodlands.
  The Woodlands has become an economic juggernaut in the Greater 
Southeast Texas area led by the development of The Woodlands Town 
Center. Spanning 1,000 acres, the urban core features premier office 
and retail space, a plethora of world class dining and entertainment 
options, hotels, healthcare and residences, all within a walkable 
environment. Economic development has been key to the success of The 
Woodlands generating commercial growth that has contributed to 
sustaining a low tax rate for residents while preserving the 
exceptional amenities that distinguish The Woodlands from many urban 
cores.
  Likewise, the 151 parks, over 220 miles of hiking and bike trails, 
pools, public art, water sport destinations and signature golf courses 
highlight the community's natural surroundings. And yet, with all the 
community offers, the forest remains. Over the years, nearly one 
million seedlings have been given away at Arbor Day festivals and 
planted to enrich the community's forested beauty. Today, almost 8,000 
of 28,500 total acres, remains open space.
  This dedication to the natural environment was a priority in the 
development of The Woodlands. Parks have been planned and developed 
hand-in-hand with residential development. Families can enjoy a park 
within a 10-minute walk. In fact, The Woodlands was designed to be park 
plentiful, boasting one park per 815 residents, placing the community 
200 percent above the national average for parks per resident, 
according to the National Recreation and Parks Association.
  George Mitchell strategically planned The Woodlands with a focus on 
residential development first, laying the groundwork and support for a 
robust commercial destination aimed to create a central hub that would 
enhance the overall community experience and attract businesses, 
residents and visitors. Since its founding, The Woodlands has emerged 
from a fledging outpost of the Greater Houston area to a thriving 
community ranked the No. 1 Community to Live in America in 2021 and 
2022. As The Woodlands celebrates five decades of diversity, innovation 
and community pride, we all look forward to its even more promising 
future.
  In recognition of the 50th Anniversary, The Woodlands community will 
come together for a week of events culminating in a community wide 
celebration on October 19th. I congratulate The Woodlands on its 50th 
Anniversary and wish its residents a safe and joyous celebration on 
this momentous occasion.

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