Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary of excellence, while applauding their mission to advocate, educate and build business relationships that enable our communities and its members to prosper.

Formed in the early 1960s from the roots of the original Downtown Business Association, Don Rodenbaugh served as the organization's first president. The Chamber would not be incorporated until 1982 for the purpose of advancing the general welfare and prosperity of the city of Allen and the Collin County area through economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial, and educational interests of the area and its citizens.

In an effort to further their reach and grow new enterprises, in 2010 the Chamber expanded to include businesses in the Town of Fairview, legally becoming the modern-day Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce.

Today, the Chamber has increased their membership to nearly 600, including a full-time staff of four, a board of directors made up of fifteen individuals from their general membership, and six ex-officio members including the city manager, school superintendent, county commissioner, economic development director, executive director of the small business development center, and their attorney of record.

The membership of the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of longtime Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Mayer, have invested their time and resources to ensure our community truly remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. Through it all, this organization has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of our Collin County business community and bolstering the entrepreneurial spirit that served as the backbone of our region.

Now as we recognize the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce on this milestone occasion, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring their forty years of exemplary service and wish them great success as they continue their important work.

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