An article that appeared in The BNSF Gulf Division “F.O.C.U.S. Express” issue dated June 2014 reported, in part:
Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former NARBW President Cynthia Chandler
Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former NARBW President Cynthia Chandler
The 70th National Association of Railway Business Women convention convened May 16 in Houston. With the smell of 700 fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in the air at the downtown Hilton Doubletree, the U.S. Army color guard displayed flags to start the meeting. Houston Mayor Annise Parker opened the meeting with a message of empowerment.
“When this came across my desk, I said that’s one event we have to put on the calendar, she said.
“It’s important for me to go places and personally engage with people, and the railway industry is significant to Houston. There is a train engine in the middle of our city seal. But, there’s no natural reason why there is a city here. Nobody discovered oil or gold here. We were where the goods were brought in. The real city was Galveston. In the 1900’s the hurricane wiped out Galveston, and it moved the port and facilities inland. That’s when Houston began to grow. It’s where 17 railroads meet the sea.
“The Port of Houston does more business for Mexico than all of Mexico’s ports combined,” Parker continued. “We are the gateway to the heartland of the United States. We, as a city, will continue to support the railway, as I know you will.”
Comments