Mayor Bill White and Judge Bob Eckels accepted the Texan of the Year Award for the City of Houston, and Rotary leader Suzi Howe received a Dome City Award on behalf of all District 5890 Rotarians.
March 7, 2006 (Press Release) --
(Houston, Texas) At a February 28th ceremony held at Houston TranStar, Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Bob Eckels accepted the Dallas Morning News’ 2005 “Texan of the Year” Award on behalf of the City of Houston, and Rotary leader Suzi Howe received the Dome City Award on behalf of all Houston-area Rotarians. The recognition ceremony applauded Houston’s ”can do” response to disaster in the wake of the hurricanes of September and the city’s ongoing efforts toward rebuilding lives.
Announcing the awards, the Dallas Morning News wrote: “In 2005, Houston became the heart of Texas …. To this day, an estimated 150,000 survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita call the Houston area home, and surveys show that most of them plan to stay. When Katrina hurled them, battered and destitute, onto Houston's doorstep, Houston met the challenge with the largest shelter operation in the nation's history.”
Hundreds of Rotarians played a pivotal support role managing Dome City's Incident Command Center during the crisis under direction of Coast Guard Lt. Joe Leonard Jr., area commander for Houston Shelter Operations, and in coordination with Assistant Fire Chief Rick Flanagan and key emergency medical personnel. “Responding to real needs in an effective way is what Rotary is all about,” Howe said.
After the presentation, Rotary leader Howe explained that volunteer groups like hers are vital to community survival in the face of disaster: “Rotary is in this for the long haul,” she said. “After this past Fall, I don’t believe anyone thinks that government can do it alone.” Rotary grants from around the globe continue to pour dollars into restoring Houston community services, as well as into the devastated areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Announcing the awards, the Dallas Morning News wrote: “In 2005, Houston became the heart of Texas …. To this day, an estimated 150,000 survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita call the Houston area home, and surveys show that most of them plan to stay. When Katrina hurled them, battered and destitute, onto Houston's doorstep, Houston met the challenge with the largest shelter operation in the nation's history.”
Hundreds of Rotarians played a pivotal support role managing Dome City's Incident Command Center during the crisis under direction of Coast Guard Lt. Joe Leonard Jr., area commander for Houston Shelter Operations, and in coordination with Assistant Fire Chief Rick Flanagan and key emergency medical personnel. “Responding to real needs in an effective way is what Rotary is all about,” Howe said.
After the presentation, Rotary leader Howe explained that volunteer groups like hers are vital to community survival in the face of disaster: “Rotary is in this for the long haul,” she said. “After this past Fall, I don’t believe anyone thinks that government can do it alone.” Rotary grants from around the globe continue to pour dollars into restoring Houston community services, as well as into the devastated areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.
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