[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24125]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONROE, TEXAS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2004

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
congratulate the city and people of Conroe, Texas, as they celebrate 
their centennial anniversary. Home to more than 43,000 Texans, Conroe 
is a vibrant city that embodies the rich heritage familiar to so many 
pioneer Texas towns.
  From Isaac Conroe's first view of the acres of lush forests that 
berthed a thriving sawmill and train stop to the discovery of oil by 
George Strake that increased the population of the city five times over 
in just five weeks, every generation has faced its joys and challenges. 
The fortitude of Conroe's citizens and their leaders has always proven 
up to the task.
  This fortitude is perfectly illustrated in the city's response after 
fires ravaged the fledgling downtown. A fire in 1901 badly burned the 
business district of the city. The community immediately rebuilt. 
Another fire in 1911 leveled the same district. This time--as if to 
dare the fire to try one more time--the people of Conroe rebuilt with 
brick.
  The citizens of this community have also proven their willingness to 
help a neighbor or stranger. During the oil strike of the early 1930's, 
thousands of able bodied men descended on Conroe looking for work and a 
way to escape the Great Depression. Lifetime Conroe resident Edith 
Clanton remembers her mother renting out every room in their home to 
strangers desperate for a place to live.
  Today, another generation of business owners, school teachers, 
community leaders and families are making their home in Conroe. Today, 
as this city surveys the last hundred years with well deserved pride it 
will also consider what the future has in store.
  Mayor J.F. Collier, the first Mayor of Conroe, saw electricity come 
to Conroe. Today's Mayor Tommy Metcalf is witnessing the spread of 
another type of current running through this city. New technology, 
thriving new businesses, residential developments that are the envy of 
the nation, academically outstanding schools, and a deep respect for 
the diversity and needs of the entire community are all a part of this 
new current. They all play a key part in keeping Conroe healthy and 
strong for the future.
  Many more bright years are ahead for Conroe. The history of this city 
reminds us that great things--great cities--start with every day people 
who live their lives one day at a time, determined to leave things 
better than how they found them.
  Mr. Speaker, our nation's hometowns like Conroe, Texas, are what make 
America strong. It is an honor to represent this community in the U.S. 
House of Representatives and I urge you to join me in congratulating 
the City of Conroe, Texas, on their 100th anniversary.

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