Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown addresses the crowd Monday, February 17, during topping-out ceremonies for the new hotel adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Seated behind Mayor Brown are Ken Smith of Hilton Hotels, former Mayor Bob Lanier and his wife, Elyse. In addition to lifting the traditional tree to the top of the 24-story Hilton Americas-Houston, a flag was hoisted as part of the President’s Day event.