07
February
2018
|
16:58 PM
America/Chicago

State Lawmakers Address Harvey Recovery Needs at UHD

The impact of Harvey continues to affect Houstonians and others around the state. The topic was not only discussed during the University of Houston-Downtown's first Gator Grit Speaker Series, it also was the focal point of a recent Texas Legislature House Committee on County Affairs hearing conducted on campus.

Committee members, including Reps. Garnet Coleman, Drew Springer, Todd Hunter and Victoria Neave, arrived for an early tour of areas of campus that were damaged by Harvey. Guided by UHD President, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz and David Bradley, vice president for administration, the legislators visited areas of the first floor, as well as the Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center.

When the meeting convened, President Muñoz welcomed the full committee and other guests to UHD.

"UHD is a public university. It is your university, and we are honored to host all of you today," he said.

Coleman offered praise for UHD and provided additional insights on the institution for his committee colleagues.

"A long time ago, my aunt Betty and her husband taught here before she went to work for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board," Coleman said. "Since then, this University has grown. It's a star in the University of Houston System, and I thank you for welcoming us."

Following introductions, the committee heard testimonies regarding SB1849 or the Sandra Bland Act, as well as topics related to emergency response and recovery. Among those delivering testimonies were Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 1 Rodney Ellis.

FOX26 was among the media outlets covering this event and featured the pre-meeting campus tour.