84R20585 JGH-D
 
  By: Bonnen of Galveston H.R. No. 1977
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Proud residents of Kemah celebrated the 50th
  anniversary of the incorporation of their community on March 20,
  2015; and
         WHEREAS, Situated on a half-moon inlet of Galveston Bay at
  the entrance to Clear Lake, this picturesque waterfront community
  was known as Evergreen when it was established on the Texas and New
  Orleans Railroad in 1898; for a time, when the railroad was hauling
  large quantities of seashell out of the area, it was also known as
  Shell Siding; and
         WHEREAS, In 1907, it was renamed Kemah, an Indian word that
  means "facing the wind," for the steady, refreshing breezes that
  blow off the Gulf of Mexico; in the 1920s, the town was a center for
  shrimping and the oil and ship-building industries, and from
  Prohibition until the 1950s, it enjoyed a lively reputation as the
  home of bootleggers and illegal casinos; and
         WHEREAS, Incorporated in March 1965, Kemah thrives today as a
  getaway for residents of Houston and Galveston; a marina was
  constructed in the 1980s, and since 1997, the Kemah Boardwalk has
  drawn countless visitors with its family-friendly entertainment
  complex, featuring shops, restaurants, a boutique hotel, and
  fairground rides; and
         WHEREAS, Blessed with a colorful history and a beautiful
  location on the Gulf of Mexico, the residents of Kemah may take
  great pride in their community as they work together to preserve its
  charm and build a bright future; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
  incorporation of Kemah and extend to its citizens sincere best
  wishes for continued success and happiness.