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History of the George R. Brown Convention Center

HOUSTON, Texas – The George R. Brown Convention Center was opened on the east side of downtown Houston amid great civic celebration on September 26, 1987. The public fanfare included a parade, music festival, aerial artwork, red-carpet tours, and a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Kathryn Whitmire. A spectacular fireworks show capped the unveiling.

The center was named for the late Houston entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist George R. Brown. Brown’s Texas Eastern Corporation donated six of the 11 blocks required to build Houston’s sparkling new red-white-and-blue convention center...

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Contact:
Pete Radowick: 713/853-8077
Cell: 713/376-0664
Email: peter.radowick@cityofhouston.net

CONVENTION CENTER NAMESAKE GEORGE R. BROWN AMONG INDUCTEES ADDED TO HOUSTON HALL OF FAME

HOUSTON, Texas (August 20, 2008) – A legendary Houston business leader and namesake of the city’s downtown convention center, George R. Brown and his family along with three other honorees were enshrined in the Houston Hall of Fame exhibit at the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB).

Brown was one of the founders of Brown & Root and helped turn it into the nation’s largest construction and engineering firm. He and brother Herman and their wives also created the farreaching Brown Foundation. Brown’s daughters – Nancy Negley, Maconda O’Connor and Isabel Wilson – were also inducted into the Hall in recognition of serving as foundation trustees for more than 25 years and greatly expanding the scope of the Brown family philanthropy, which has made grants totaling more than $1.2 billion to a wide array of institutions and projects.

Joining the Brown family as new inductees in the Houston Hall of Fame are retired Congressman Bill Archer, the Rev. William Lawson and entertainment industry executive Mathew Knowles and his wife, fashion designer Tina Knowles.

All four were honored during the annual City of Houston birthday celebration held August 19 in the George Bush Grand Ballroom at the GRB. The Hall of Fame exhibit flanks the exterior entrance of the ballroom and now numbers 32 inductees.

The Houston Hall of Fame features showcases consisting of a portrait, plaque and a personal artifact from Houstonians who have achieved unmatched excellence in the arts, athletics, business, entertainment, law, medicine and public service. Each inductee was either born in Houston or called Houston home during the time of their greatest achievements.

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