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Texas State Representative Craig Eiland To Be Honored With Bahep’s Quasar Award

Area Houston Economic Partnership will honor Texas State Representative Craig Eiland with its prestigious 2010 Quasar Award for Economic Development Excellence presented during the organization’s Annual Quasar Award Banquet on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City.

The Quasar Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual who has contributed greatly to the economic wealth and diversity of the Bay Area Houston region. The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership leadership selected Rep. Eiland in acknowledgment of his steadfast leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and in appreciation of his legislative accomplishments in championing the restoration of one of the region’s greatest resources, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Bob Mitchell, BAHEP president, said, “Citizen of the Year. American Hero. Legislator of the Year. Texas State Representative Craig Eiland has earned all of these honors and many more since he was elected to the 74th Legislature in 1994. Following Hurricane Ike, his tireless efforts on behalf of the restoration of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston were instrumental in saving this historic and vital institution. Due to Rep. Eiland’s commitment to the people and businesses of Galveston and Chambers counties, thousands of jobs have been saved and an entire region is well on its way to recovering from one of the worst natural disasters ever experienced by this nation. He epitomizes the values required of all Quasar Award recipients, and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is proud to name him its 2010 honoree.”

Eiland responded, “It is a tremendous honor to receive the Quasar Award. I have been to the gala several times to recognize those local, state, and national leaders who have been so helpful to our area in the past. 2008 and 2009 were extremely challenging years for us with the economic downturn superimposed on our own Hurricane Ike devastation. However, true to our heritage, we picked ourselves up, helped each other and are once again moving forward to a successful future. I am proud to have made a contribution along with so many other hard working public officials and working people in the region.”

Eiland attended Baylor School of Law where he earned his J.D. in 1987. In February 1988, he settled in Galveston where he opened his own law practice in 1992 with offices in Galveston and Houston. Some of the awards and honors that Eiland has received include the Citizen of the Year, Legislator of the Year, Legislative Superstar Award and the President's Award. He has been recognized four times by Texas Monthly Magazine and was named one of the "Ten Best Legislators" by Texas Monthly for the second time this decade.

For the 81st Legislative Session in 2009, Eiland was appointed to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore. He is a member of the committee on Appropriations, where he is chair of the Hurricane Subcommittee and a member of the Stimulus Subcommittee as well as the Health and Human Services Subcommittee. He sits on the Texas House Select Committee on Hurricane Ike Devastation, and is on the Governor's Commission for Disaster Recovery and others to help facilitate in debris removal and to ensure that FEMA reimburses the cost of such endeavors. He serves as a liaison between the federal, state, and local government as well as the private sector.

Eiland's legislative package for the 81st session was heavily weighted with Hurricane Ike initiatives. Additionally, Eiland joined a delegation from Galveston which testified before the National Senate Committee hearing on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and the Subcommittee on Disaster Relief for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Eiland also met with several congressional members to communicate the recovery needs of his district.

Prior recipients of BAHEP’s Quasar Award have included Texas Governor Ann Richards in 1994; U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay in 1995; U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in 1996; U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson in 1997; NASA JSC Director George W.S. Abbey in 1998; Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough in 1999; Robert L. Moody, Sr., in 2000; Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown in 2001; Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jim Fonteno in 2002; House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in 2003; Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia in 2004; Dr. John Stobo, president of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, in 2005; Houston Mayor Bill White in 2006; NASA administrator Dr. Michael Griffin in 2007; Dr. William A. Staples, president of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, in 2008; and Mike Coats, director of NASA Johnson Space Center, in 2009.

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is a member-driven organization that provides the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and employment in southeast Texas. Its members include approximately 260 investor companies, business professionals, local governments, and educational institutions encompassing 13 cities, Galveston and Harris counties, and the Port of Houston Authority. For more information on the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, please call 281.486.5535 or visit http://www.bayareahouston.com/.
 
 

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