ACTIVE/RETIRED MEMBERS and BENEFICIARIES Summer 2019

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

ACTIVE/RETIRED MEMBERS and BENEFICIARIES Summer 2019 A PUBLICATION FOR THE Summer 2019 ACTIVE/RETIRED MEMBERS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND Investing for Firefighters and Their Families® A MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN BESSELMAN Dear Fund Members, First, it is an honor to serve as the Chairman once again. I continue to be in close communication with all Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retire- ment Fund (HFRRF or “the Fund”) members, both active and retired. Brett R. Besselman As I continually meet more members and listen to your stories about Chair your experiences in the Houston fire department, it re-affirms my com- mitment to the Board and the long-term health and viability of this pension fund. The appellate ruling in this latest round of court proceedings sided with the City of Houston re- garding the suit to stop underfunding our pension plan. On June 20, 2019 the Texas Court of Ap- peals, 14th Appellate District in Houston, affirmed a previous district court ruling that permitted experimental revisions relating to funding from the 2017 Texas Legislature to continue. We are very disappointed in this ruling but plan to continue our challenge to what we believe is an unconstitu- tional law in situations where the Board’s actuaries believe the City contribution must be higher. SB 2190 allows the City to short change the pension year to year, instead of producing long term pension security. We still believe SB 2190 conflicts with the Texas Constitution by taking away the Board’s right to select sound actuarial assumptions to be used by the Fund for this plan. The Board will continue to challenge this court’s ruling. We said good-bye to long-time Board member, Chaplain Garry W. Blackmon, Sr., who retired after serving 35 years in the Houston Fire Department. Blackmon served our Board in Trustee Position IV, since February 2014. We con- gratulate and wish Mr. Blackmon a very happy retirement and thank him for his dedicated service to our membership. Outlined in this edition of the Red Line newsletter is the schedule to fill Garry’s unexpired term. We move forward with the energy to strengthen the Fund and provide a se- cure retirement plan for our members. Chairman Brett R. Besselman presents Plaque of Appreciation to Lawmakers have com- Garry W. Blackmon, Sr. pleted the 86th session Trustee since February 2014 of the Texas legislature. Their primary focus was on issues of bipartisan concern that affected the whole state. We are pleased to report that there were no bills passed by the end of the session that negatively impact our Fund. The Board will continue to advance the interest of our active and HFD 35 Year Retirement retired members as we prepare for opportunities in the 87th HFRRF at Fire Station 8 on May 31, 2019 Texas legislature. The 87th session is scheduled to begin January 12, 2021. The dangers inherent in the fire profession are no secret. Many may suffer from long-term job-re- lated illnesses in the fire service. The state of Texas, recognizing the hazards of our profession passed a new bill (SB 2551) adding more illnesses to help firefighters make their case for worker’s compensation benefits. This legislation may make it easier to file claims with insurance carriers and may allow employees to recover attorneys’ fees from insurance carriers who act in bad faith. We ap- Continued on page 2 www.hfrrf.org Page 1 A Message from the Chairman, continued from page 1 plaud the efforts of the spon- Have a safe summer! sors for this very important legislation. Brett R. Besselman, Chair Since our last publication, Houston Firefighters’ we’ve welcomed 66 new Relief and Retirement Fund Fund members. These ca- Board of Trustees Chairman Besselman at Texas Association dets were sworn in on May 66 New Fund Members of Public Employee Retirement Systems HFD Cadets were sworn in on May 16, 2019 (TEXPERS) Pension discussion during 16, 2019; joining the ranks Texas’ 86th legislative Session of the Houston Fire Depart- ment, ensuring the safety of GOVERNOR ABBOTT NAMES STEPHANIE LEIBE the citizens of Houston. Houston is the fourth most populated city in CHAIR OF THE STATE PENSION REVIEW BOARD the nation, and with an estimated population of 2,312,717 (trailing AND REAPPOINTS MARCIA DUSH AND KEITH only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). As you know, the next gen- BRAINARD eral elections are Tuesday, November 5, 2019 (election day) and will fill some key city leadership positions. Governor Greg Abbott has named Stephanie Leibe chair of the State Pension Review Board replacing In closing, the Fund was created by state statute and, since its founding Josh B. McGee as chair. Governor Abbott addition- in 1937, it has been administered by its Board of Trustees who have ad- ally reappointed Keith Brainard to the Board for a opted sound actuarial assumptions used by the Fund. HFRRF’s assets term set to expire on January 31, 2025 and reap- have grown steadily over the years. The market value of Fund assets pointed Marcia Dush for a term set to expire on in 1988 was approximately $468 million; today its assets are approxi- January 31, 2025. mately $4.2 billion. We look to the future as we work toward the con- Stephanie Leibe tinued growth of our investments and long-term health and viability of this pension fund. THE HISTORY OF THE HFD MEMORIALS | GLENWOOD CEMETERY AND THE FUND’S MEMORIAL GARDEN Today, the City of Houston firefighters have a beautiful garden located on pension Fund property called the “Houston Firefighters’ Memorial Garden” at 4225 Interwood N. Parkway, located off of Beltway 8 and JFK. It is in this garden, since 2001, that the Houston Fire Department (HFD) hosts its Annual Memorial Ceremony. At this ceremony HFD invites all the city to gather in the garden each year to pay tribute to HFD firefighters. The garden includes pavers, benches, the “Wall of Honor” and a breathtaking statue called “The Rescue”. “The Rescue” is the statue that memorializes all HFD firefighters lost in the line of duty, “who are gone, but never forgotten”. The “Wall of Honor”, which is also in the garden, holds the names and is a tribute to all deceased firefighters since the beginning of Houston’s paid firefighters. As many may know, the Memorial Garden location was not the orig- inal gathering place for this most sacred ceremony and tribute. The original HFD memorial’s home was and remains in the Glenwood Cemetery. Glenwood Cemetery is located on 84 acres at 2525 Washington Avenue, a short distance from downtown Houston. Glenwood opened as a private cemetery the summer of 1872. Prior to the beginning of the HFD paid department, Houston’s fire protection was comprised of vol- unteer fire companies. In 1888 the companies were: Protection 1, Hook and Ladder 1, Liberty No. 2, Stonewall No. 3, Mechanic No. 6 and Curtin No. 9. In May of 1888, these companies bought Plot 98 in Section C of the Glenwood Cemetery for $300. This plot was to be used for the members of the department. In June of that same year, the firefighters ordered a stone memorial to be erected on the newly purchased cemetery plot. On top of this monument was a life-sized statue, a likeness of the oldest living member at the time, Robert Brewster. The statue stands 5 foot 2 inches and weighs 1400 “The Rescue” memorializes all pounds. It was produced in Carrara, Italy and delivered to the firefighters on December 24, 1889. In firefighters lost in the line of duty 1895, the City of Houston went from a volunteer department to a paid department. Shortly after that www.hfrrf.org Page 2 time, the newly formed department took over ownership 2019 KEY DATES of the Fireman’s Plot. The monument was not officially dedicated until April 6, 1900. CALENDAR JULY AUGUST Today, there are a number of firefighter souls buried in S M T W T F S S M T W T F S the Glenwood Cemetery. The first volunteer firefight- 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 er Henry Kitely, died in 1888 and the last volunteer was 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Clarence Hartwell, who passed away in 1905. Sadly, there 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 have been more firefighters and line-of-duty deaths since 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 that time. Captain Mark Braswell and Firefighter Anne 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Sullivan’s remains are also buried there. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER S M T W T F S S M T W T F S After the original dedication of the memorial, there were, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 as far as history can tell, no organized memorial services to honor the firefighters 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 buried there. So, as time marched on, the monument had lived in Glenwood through 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 at least two major floods and without much notoriety with the next event that took 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 place concerning the Fireman’s Plot occurring 87 years after the monument was 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 erected in Glenwood. NOVEMBER DECEMBER For whatever reason, in 1975, the HFD moved the S M T W T F S S M T W T F S monument to 410 Bagby, which at the time was HFD 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Headquarters.
Recommended publications
  • Houston Fire Department Memorandum
    HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM To: All Officers and Members From: Michael Zapata, Assistant Fire Chief Mayor Sylvester Turner Through: Justin Wells, Executive Assistant Fire Chief Subject: HFD Val Jahnke Training Facility Access City Council Date: December 8, 2020 District A Amy Peck District B Jerry Davis The Val Jahnke Training Facility (VJTF) continues to be closed per CDC District C recommendations for CoVid19. Additional precautions have been Abbie Kamin implemented by Professional Development due to current CoVid19 District D conditions and on-going construction on campus. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz District E Entrance to the VJTF will be thru the Administration Building only – all other Dave Martin walk-thru and drive-thru gates will be locked and access to the campus will District F be restricted to HFD Members and Visitors who have a scheduled Tiffany Thomas appointment or assigned training on campus. District G Greg Travis All vehicle access, including HFD Apparatus, is restricted. Vehicles requiring District H entrance onto the campus must complete check-in and screening prior to Karla Cisneros entry. Only vehicles necessary for training purposes will be allowed on District I campus – personal vehicles must park in Parking Lots 1 or 3 – parking in Robert Gallegos these areas may be limited due to construction. District J Edward Pollard All HFD Members and Visitors with a scheduled appointment/training are District K reminded face masks and social distancing are mandatory and Cadet Martha Castex-Tatum interaction should be limited while on campus. At-Large 1 Mike Knox Please schedule personal appointments with VJTF Staff Members directly. At-Large 2 Requests to schedule training/classrooms/props/etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Houston Planning Commission
    HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA MAY 27, 2010 COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY HALL ANNEX 2:30 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS Mark A. Kilkenny, Vice Chair Susan Alleman Christopher B Amandes Keiji Asakura J.D. Bartell Sonny Garza James R. Jard Paul R. Nelson Linda Porras-Pirtle Robin Reed Richard A. Rice David Robinson Jeff Ross Algenita Scott Segars Talmadge Sharp, Sr. Blake Tart III Beth Wolff Shaukat Zakaria The Honorable Grady Prestage, P. E. Fort Bend County The Honorable Ed Emmett Harris County The Honorable Ed Chance Montgomery County ALTERNATE MEMBERS D. Jesse Hegemier, P. E. Fort Bend County Jackie L. Freeman, P. E. Harris County Mark J. Mooney, P.E. Montgomery County EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS Carol Lewis, Ph.D. Mike Marcotte, P.E. Dawn Ullrich Frank Wilson SECRETARY Marlene L. Gafrick Meeting Policies and Regulations that an issue has been sufficiently discussed and additional speakers are repetitive. Order of Agenda 11. The Commission reserves the right to stop Planning Commission may alter the order of the speakers who are unruly or abusive. agenda to consider variances first, followed by replats requiring a public hearing second and consent agenda Limitations on the Authority of the Planning last. Any contested consent item will be moved to the Commission end of the agenda. By law, the Commission is required to approve Public Participation subdivision and development plats that meet the requirements of Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances The public is encouraged to take an active interest in of the City of Houston. The Commission cannot matters that come before the Planning Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Five Chapter Five 1950-1959
    106 | Chapter Five Chapter Five 1950-1959 The first black Fire Fighter was hired in 1955, Air Pac’s were introduced in 1953 but it would however it was not the first time a black man take a period of adjustment before the rank and fought a fire in Houston. In 1863 slaves provided file Fire Fighters would use them. the manpower keeping the city safe while the By the end of the 1950’s the Department majority of the Fire Fighters were involved responded to calls in a 400-square mile radius with the Civil War. It would take 92 years and serviced a population of over 900,000. after the Civil War before a black man would The variety of fires fought during this time officially wear the uniform of the Houston Fire illustrated the risk associated with being a Fire Department. Fighter. Intentional fires set by an arsonist in The size of the Department would grow to 1953 would damage four lumber yards. During over 700 men by the early 1950’s and fire trucks the same year a fireworks factory would explode were being fitted with two-way radios to improve killing four and wounding over 70 people. A communication. spectacular fire on the “Amoco Virginia” tanker Along with the added Fire Fighters, the would end the 1950’s with great loss of life and Department acquired 19 pieces of equipment in property. Much like the 1920’s the number of 1952 to meet the demand of the cities expansion. line of duty deaths this decade was high.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Wildfire Protection Plan June 2018
    District of Houston Community Wildfire Protection Plan June 2018 Prepared By: Prepared for: Rebecca Werner, RFT District of Houston Brad Layton, RFT P.O. Box 370 Pro-Tech Forest Resources Houston, BC P.O. Box 100 V0J-1Z0 Telkwa, BC V0J-2X0 Contents Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 References ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Acronym Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Summary of CWPP Recommendations. .......................................................................................................................... 3 Section 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1. Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 CWPP Planning Process ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Section 2: Local Area Description ...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Houston Ambulance Chase Nets $28 Million
    Digitech Computer, Inc. 555 Pleasantville Road Suite 110, North Building Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510 (914) 741-1919 Fax (914) 741-1325 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.digitechcomputer.com Houston Ambulance Chase Nets $28 Million Supplemental payment program closes the gaps in reimbursement for ambulance transports Briarcliff Manor, NY – December 11, 2015 – When the Houston City Council selected Digitech to handle its billing for ambulance transports in 2013, it signed on with a partner that could help the city address both an information gap and a budget gap. A federal program allows governmental ambulance providers to recover a portion of the difference between the actual cost of services provided and the reimbursement allowed under Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, and uninsured patients. Houston had been missing out on these Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program (ASPP) funds, because it couldn’t be certain of providing the extensive documentation of these expenditures required by the state of Texas, which administers the program. Digitech’s Ambulance Commander software, combined with their data mining experience and reporting expertise, enabled Houston to provide the detailed accounting of all the city’s ambulance trips required by the ASPP. Houston had already seen an $11 million increase in revenue captured from ambulance billing— from $29 million in 2012-13 to nearly $40 million in 2013- 14. For 2013-14, the ASPP has returned almost $28 million in additional revenue to the City of Houston. Digitech projects a similar return for Houston for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which will help the city close a projected $63 million budget gap. “The City Council made a wise decision in Digitech,” states Mayor Annise Parker.
    [Show full text]
  • Alief Independent School District 2020-21 Official Budget
    Alief Independent School District 2020-21 Official Budget Alief Independent School District 4250 Cook Road Houston, Texas 77072 www.aliefisd.net Alief Independent School District Houston, Texas 2020-21 Official Budget Effective September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021 Issued by: H.D. Chambers Superintendent Administrative Services Division Charles Woods Deputy Superintendent for Business Deanna Wentz, CPA Assistant Superintendent of Finance Table of Contents 2020-21 Budget Introductory Section Principal Officials .............................................................................................................................. 1 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 2 School Board of Trustees ............................................................................................................... 10 District-wide Organizational Chart .................................................................................................. 12 Enrollment by Campus ................................................................................................................... 13 District Map ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Classification of Revenues and Expenditures ................................................................................ 15 Combined Budget Summaries .......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The 2018 Summary Plan Description
    The Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION 18 Table of Contents Plan Summary Membership Eligibility . 3 Payments . 3 Contributions . 3 Retirement Benefit Types . 3 Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) . 5 DROP – Frequently Asked Questions . 6 Post Retirement Option Plan (PROP) . 10 Eligible Survivor Benefits . 10 Other Pension Benefit Provisions . 11 Important Notices . 13 Member Services Staff . 14 Pension Benefits Policies and Procedures Board And Committee Procedures . 15 Membership . 16 Applying For Service Retirement . 17 DROP Policies And Procedures . 17 Procedures For Refund Of Contributions . 23 Disability Definitions/Procedures . 24 Procedures For Death And Survivor Benefits . 30 Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) . 32 Policy Governing Re-Entry Into The Fund . 35 Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) And Supplemental Payments . 38 When Checks Are Processed . 39 Lost/Undelivered/Forged Checks . 39 Address Changes . 40 Deductions . 40 Eligible Rollover Distributions . 40 Plan And Limitation Years . 41 Proportional Retirement Benefits . 41 Military Leave Policy . 42 General Provisions For Determination Of Benefits . 43 Designation Of Overtime Pay To Pay Periods . 45 Post Retirement Option Plan (PROP) Policies And Procedures . 45 Membership Publications And Annual Benefit Statements . 50 Retiree Directories . 50 Provisions Regarding Nonforfeitability Of Benefits As Required Under Internal Review Code . 51 Designation Of Fund Benefits Pending Resolution Of Disputed Conservatorship . 51 Provisions Regarding Section 415 Of The Internal Revenue Code . 51 Art. 6243E.2(1). Firefighters’ Relief And Retirement Fund In Municipalities Of At Least 1,600,000 Population Definitions . 52 Fund And Board Of Trustees . 61 Other Powers Of The Board . 65 Service Pension Benefits . 69 Deferred Retirement Option Plan .
    [Show full text]
  • South Belt-Ellington Leader, Thursday, April 4, 2019
    4343 yearsyears ofof coveringcovering SouthSouth BeltBelt Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 Thursday, April 4, 2019 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 44, No. 10 CBC hangs door hangers Residents living in affected parts of the Clear Brook City Municipal Utility District City grapples with implementing Prop B should have received a door hanger notify- ing them of sanitary sewer work to be done by As the City of Houston grapples with imple- “Spreading the costs will be in the best inter- posal fails to provide parity. differences, please let us know.” Nerie Construction. The notices should have menting Prop B to pair fi refi ghter pay to that of est of all Houstonians.” “Firefi ghter layoffs are unnecessary. They The city issued a subsequent response stating told residents the date their property is to be police offi cers, Mayor Sylvester Turner is being Patrick “Marty” Lancton, president of the were unnecessary during the HPD raises. They that pay increases will be immediately met but at visited, to leave their gates unlocked and to se- met with opposition from the fi refi ghters union Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association are unnecessary now. When you gut HFD from the cost of hundreds of jobs. cure outdoor pets. Nerie crews began televis- and even a council member from his own party. fi red back sharply. within with yet more budget and personnel cuts, Once systems are in place, fi refi ghters will be ing pipes on April 2, and manhole evaluations Late last month, Turner sent a letter to the “We received your ‘proposal,’ which appar- you alone will be responsible for the conse- issued lump sum checks for Jan.1 through the will begin April 8.
    [Show full text]
  • East End Historical Markers Driving Tour
    East End Historical Markers Driving Tour Compiled by Will Howard Harris County Historical Commission, Heritage Tourism Chair 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS DOWNTOWN – Harris County NORTHWEST CORNER – German Texans Frost Town 512 McKee: MKR Frost Town 1900 Runnels: MKR Barrio El Alacran 2115 Runnels: Mkr: Myers-Spalti Manufacturing Plant (now Marquis Downtown Lofts) NEAR NAVIGATION – Faith and Fate 2405 Navigation: Mkr: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 2407 Navigation: Mkr in cemetery: Samuel Paschall BRADY LAND: Magnolias and Mexican Americans MKR Quiosco, Mkr for Park [MKR: Constitution Bend] [Houston’s Deepwater Port] 75th & 76th: 1400 @ J &K, I: De Zavala Park and MKR 76th St 907 @ Ave J: Mkr: Magnolia Park [MKR: League of United Latin American Citizens, Chapter 60] Ave F: 7301: MKR Magnolia Park City Hall / Central Fire Station #20 OLD TIME HARRISBURG 215 Medina: MKR Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church 710 Medina @ Erath: Mkr: Holy Cross Mission (Episcopal) 614 Broadway @ E Elm, sw cor: MKR Tod-Milby Home site 8100 East Elm: MKR Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado RR 620 Frio: MKR Jane Briscoe Harris Home site Magnolia 8300 across RR: Mkr, Glendale Cemetery Magnolia 8300, across RR: Mkr, Site of Home of General Sidney Sherman [Texas Army Crossed Buffalo Bayou] [Houston Yacht Club] Broadway 1001 @ Lawndale: at Frost Natl Bk, with MKR “Old Harrisburg” 7800 @ 7700 Bowie: MKR Harrisburg-Jackson Cemetery East End Historical Makers Driving Tour 1 FOREST PARK CEMETERY [Clinton @ Wayside: Mkr: Thomas H. Ball, Jr.] [Otherwise Mkr: Sam (Lighnin’) Hopkins] THE SOUTHERN RIM: Country Club and Eastwood 7250 Harrisburg: MKR Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Brookside Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Houston Fire Department Patient Care Guidelines and Standing Orders for BLS and ALS Units
    Houston Fire Department Patient Care Guidelines and Standing Orders For BLS and ALS Units GEOGRAPHICAL AREA / DUTY STATUS / NON-EMS CERTIFIED LICENSED MEDICAL PERSONNEL GEOGRAPHICAL AREA The guidelines shall only be utilized under my medical direction within the Houston city limits, mutual aid areas, when operating in regional deployments and when transferring patients. DUTY STATUS Houston Fire Department EMS personnel are authorized to utilize these protocols under my medical direction only when acting in their official capacity (i.e. on-duty) when representing the Houston Fire Department as defined in theBLS and ALS Guidelines, Patient Care Guidelines and Standing Orders, HFD Rules and Regulations and other written directives and guidelines. NON EMS-CERTIFIED LICENSED MEDICAL PERSONNEL Includes RN’s and other allied healthcare personnel (other than licensed physicians authorized to function within the City of Houston EMS system). Currently, the Houston Fire Department Physician Director does not recognize nor utilize persons in this category. All personnel performing direct patient care within the City of Houston EMS system possess valid TDSHS EMS certification and function under the appropriate protocols as EMT’s or paramedics. Effective Date : November 1, 2014 Expiration Date : September 30, 2016 November 1, 2014 David Persse, MD Date EMS Physician Director HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT PATIENT CARE GUIDELINES AND STANDING ORDERS FOR BLS AND ALS UNITS REFERENCE NO. III-01 ©2014 City of Houston, Fire Department HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT SUBJECT : PATIENT CARE GUIDELINES AND STANDING ORDERS FOR BLS AND ALS UNITS VOLUME NO. III COMMAND: EMS REFERENCE NO. III-01 SECTIONS 1.00 - 9.06 Table of Contents 1.00 Purpose ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Houston Facts 2019 Are Current As of June ’19 Unless Otherwise Noted
    HOUSTON 2019 GREATERFACTS HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP Discover the Houston Region The facts speak for themselves. Austin | Brazoria | Chambers | Fort Bend | Galveston | Harris | Liberty | Montgomery | San Jacinto | Walker | Waller HOUSTONFACTS About the Greater Houston Partnership The mission of the Greater Houston Partnership is to make Houston one of the world’s best places to live, work and build a business. The Partnership works to make Houston greater by promoting economic development, foreign trade and investment, and by advocating for efficient and effective government that supports, rather than impedes, business growth. The Partnership also convenes key stakeholders to solve the region’s most pressing issues. The Partnership was formed in 1989 in a merger of the Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce, the Houston Economic Development Council and the Houston World Trade Association. Today, the Partnership serves the 11-county greater Houston region and represents a member roster of more than 1,000 businesses and institutions. Members of the Partnership account for one-fifth of all jobs in Houston. They engage in various initiatives, committees and task forces to work toward our goal of making Houston greater. GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP | 701 AVENIDA DE LAS AMERICAS, SUITE 900 | HOUSTON, TX 77010 713-844-3600 | HOUSTON.ORG © 2019 Greater Houston Partnership Data in Houston Facts 2019 are current as of June ’19 unless otherwise noted. Houston Facts is a registered trademark of the Greater Houston Partnership. Houston Facts 2019 was compiled by the research team of the Greater Houston Partnership, including Elizabeth Balderrama, Patrick Jankowski, Roel Gabe Martinez, Josh Pherigo, Nadia Valliani and Melissa Verhoef. This publication was designed by Marc Keosayian and Suzanne Morgan.
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Fighter March 05
    H P F F A HOUSTON FIRE FIGHTER The Official Voice of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association LOCAL 341 www.local341.org • email: [email protected] PR LIED INTIN AL G H S VOL. 37, NO. 3 OUSTON, TEXA MARCH 2005 In Loving Memory of CAPT . G RADY BURKE Jan. 3, 1966 - Feb. 19, 2005 PRESIDENT’S REPORT by ROLAND M. CHAVEZ, 28/B A TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN GRADY BURKE February 14, 2000, October 13, 2001, April 4, 2004, dates that gating to Crises Management. Local 341 and the Administration will be forever etched in many of our every day lives. And now, worked jointly to immediately care for the needs of the family as Saturday, February 19, 2005, Captain Grady Burke, from District well as the members of Station 46/B. As the week sadly ended, the 46, Station 46/B, Engine 46, made the ultimate sacrifice. An experi - work to carry out a Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial began. Volunteers enced, dedicated Fire Fighter respected by everyone who knew him. began arriving at the Union Hall immediately to lend support. The Grady leaves behind a wonderful wife, 3 children, family and many Line-of-Duty Death Committee began assigning duties to prepare Fraternal Brothers and Sisters. His character and personality can be for the thousands of Fire Fighters and guests arriving for the service. judged by those that knew him. Did I know him personally? No, but Approximately 300 Brothers and Sisters from 28 Fire Departments as I and many others at the Memorial saw the collage of photos with arrived to relieve members who hoped to attend the Memorial.
    [Show full text]