The city council convened on August 11, 2026, to issue proclamations, hear public testimony on a range of issues including public safety, immigration enforcement, and land use, and discuss several policy matters. The meeting was marked by emotional testimony from community members and a commitment from council members to pursue new ordinances and investigations.
To the East End Chamber of Commerce to recognize East End Day 2026. Thank you, Vice Mayor Pro Tem. If I could have Francis, and if you have any board members that are here as well, come on. As they make their way, um, you know, as many of you know, I'm an East End native, born and raised in the East End, went to elementary, middle school, high school, uh, Cage, Jackson, Austin, for those Austin folks around here. Um, you know, and and what I've recognized over that that period of time uh is the East in progressing in the right direction, and it has to do with the support of uh businesses, community, uh, and quite frankly, the community leaders that are that are there in the East End as well. Um, just on a personal note, Fran Francis and I uh we've attended the same church for some time. I was actually our altar boy for a while at Blessed Sacrament. Um but in all that we recognize that um that the East End is uh is a place where uh the City of Houston not only needs uh but quite frankly, uh we we help with the trend, right? We have the port, uh we have amazing small businesses, uh workforce development, and all this is only possible because of the East End Chamber of Commerce along with other entities that uh that helped lift up the East End. And so um today we get to celebrate uh over three decades of the East End uh Chamber uh doing great work. Earlier today, we were able to uh gather over some very diverse food. Um if you haven't been in the East End, we have some new pop-ups that have come up. Uh, one of them uh, you know, more more uh recently was a barbecue spot. Uh used to be East End Backyard, now it's eastbound. And of course, you have a lot of your staples like Ninfas, El Tiempo, Doña Maria's, and whatnot. And so uh with that, I'm I'm proud uh to continue to make sure that we continue to lift up the East End, and I want to thank Francis for her leadership and her board as well. So what um I'll read part of it. I want to uh also thank my my colleague uh Councilmember Castillo for being here. Uh he represents a very important part of the East End, which is a second board area, uh it's one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of Houston, and so uh appreciate his support as well. So East End's beginning uh are rooted in the area along Brace Bayou, uh raised in Buffalo Bayou, known today as Old Harrisburg, which was developed in 1826. The community's connection to the waterways continues today through its proximity to the port to Port Houston, the nation's leading port uh port for foreign waterborne commerce and one of the largest ports in the world. East End is therefore one of the one of Houston's most historic communities and serves as a vital economic engine for the city, the region, and the state. Championing the East End economic growth and prosperity is the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce. Since its founding in 1991, it has served as a voice for the community by connecting businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, promoting workforce development, and strengthening collaboration amongst the private, public, education, and nonprofit sectors. Through these efforts, it helps create an environment where businesses thrive, investment grows, and the community flourishes. Thank you, Councilmember Martinez, and thank you all. Uh truly is an honor to represent part of the East End and participate in this recognition of the 35th anniversary. Last year marks the chamber's 35th anniversary, celebrating over three decades of service, leadership, and advocacy for the area's economic success. On August 11th, 2026, it will host its biannual East End Day at City Hall, giving elected officials an opportunity to connect with East End residents and businesses through its signature taste of the East End attendees, will also experience the diverse flavors of locally owned restaurants that help define this beloved community. In recognition of East End Day and the East End Chamber of Commerce's 35th anniversary, the City of Houston proudly recognizes the chamber and its leadership for their continued dedication, contributions, and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and invest in this remarkable community. Thank you to Councilman Martinez for Studio. It's such a privilege to stand with the outstanding leadership of the East End, certainly the Chamber in its special 35th anniversary. You know, I've had a special relationship with East End since being their senator throughout the 80s before we had a Hispanic Senate seat. Playing a role with the community to create that seat in 91 for the 92 elections, we elected the Honorable Mario Diego, who became a close ally and friend. So it's a real going down memory lane to be able to see the success of the East End. And we stand on other people's shoulders. The historic creation of Harrisburg in 1826. But I really, as I stand before everyone today, think the best days are yet to come. Success. So today it's great that we come together, and I therefore I, John Whitmaier, Mayor of the City of Houston hereby proclaim August 11th, 2026 is Houston East End Chamber of Commerce 35th anniversary and East End Day across the city of Houston. Congratulations. Thank you, Mayor Whitmeyer, Councilmember Castillo and Martinez. To the right and left of me are some of our great partners in the East End, and we wouldn't be here without them. Hopefully, if you didn't get a taste of the delicious food downstairs, your staff did, ask them how delicious it was. Come back and visit our diverse culinary experience. So for those council members who were not able to join us, we will pass them along to you. Thank you very much. 35 years is a long time. Myself, I've been here 16 years. I thought it was only going to be five, but uh, you know, it's a it's it's uh the saying goes, uh, love what you do, and it never you never call it work, I guess.