Will Complete His Term Ending in January 2013
State Representative Charlie Howard (R – District 26 – Sugar Land) announced today that he, regretfully, will not seek re-election in 2012.
“Many of you know I have a lingering health issue,” Representative Howard said. “I have postponed treatment for the past few years because of the time commitment it requires, but this is no longer an option. I want to reassure my constituents and friends that this has no bearing on my ability to effectively serve out my current term until January 2013. Thus, I will successfully finish that which I enjoy most – serving the people of Fort Bend County in the Texas House of Representatives.”
Rep. Howard and his wife, Jo, came to Houston in 1970 from Alabama where they had both worked on the Apollo program, which landed the first man on the moon. Charlie, an electrical engineer, was a member of the team that developed the first broadband data system to handle the massive data transmissions to and from the spacecraft and the NASA facilities.
After earning an MBA from Harvard Business School, he joined Gerald D. Hines Interests, where he helped develop First Colony in Sugar Land. Charlie served his community in many capacities, including President of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and founding director of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, before being elected to the State Legislature as a Republican in 1994. As a respected member of the legislature, Rep. Howard passed many bills specifically enhancing the lives of his constituents. To mention a few of such bills would include bringing the University of Houston to Sugar Land, establishing the Fort Bend Technical Center with Wharton Junior College, and helping Sugar Land be the best FOB Airport in the country. He worked with integrity with other officials to bring about the expansion of Hwy 59, Hwy 6, and Hwy 90A.
“WOW! What a fantastic ride Fort Bend County has had the past 40 years, becoming the best and greatest county in the state and one of the most sought after places to live in the country. I never tire of bragging on you,” he said.