[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DENTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 9, 2009

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Denton Chamber 
of Commerce, which will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on April 21, 
2009.
  The Denton Chamber of Commerce is an alliance of businesses, 
professionals, and organizations working to support and promote the 
principles for a prosperous economic environment.
  Established April 21, 1909, the Chamber has grown to involve over 860 
members. In its 100 years of operation, the Chamber has a record of 
promoting, supporting and expanding the Denton business community. 
Small businesses have long benefited from the efforts of the Denton 
Chamber of Commerce and have also found it an avenue to give back to 
their community. Many members are not only successful in business, but 
also volunteer and serve on boards of local charity and community 
groups.
  The Chamber has played a significant role in the community's economic 
health, establishing an Economic Development Partnership with the City 
of Denton focused on helping create new jobs, supporting existing 
career opportunities and expanding the property tax base. A prime 
example of this success was the partnership's work to attract the 
largest local employer, the Peterbilt Motors plant, and later, 
Peterbilt's division headquarters.
  Helping in the efforts to secure the sites for the Denton State 
School, and the sites for FEMA's underground center and National 
Teleregistration facility, the Denton Chamber of Commerce's 
contributions have gone beyond just helping the business community.
  With programs such as Leadership Denton, Chamber members have learned 
the inner workings of policy. It has worked to supplement 
communications with state and federal officials with the initiation of 
county wide events such as Denton County Day in Austin and the 
Washington Fly-In. A tribute to their role in community service and 
leadership development is evidenced by the dozens of members that have 
served on local city councils, school boards and in other elected 
positions.
  It is with great pride that I stand here today to join others in 
celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. I 
wish the membership, staff and board all the best and I am proud to 
represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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