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• 100 Years

100 Years

In 2009, the Dallas Regional Chamber celebrated 100 years of excellence. The centennial year was filled with a variety of events, including the anniversary luncheon in June. The Chamber's mission in 1909 remains  true today, to promote prosperity through public policy, economic development and member engagement. The Dallas Regional Chamber is a dynamic alliance serving the business interests of the region. The roots of our rich history date back to the Board of Trade, established in 1874. The Chamber was formed in 1909, when three other Dallas business groups -- the Commercial Club, the 150,000 club and the Freight Bureau -- merged with Board of Trade. Throughout the past century, the Chamber played key leadership roles in the establishment of many important regional assets. Here is a sampling of key milestones during the Chamber's history.

• 1911: Chamber and Dallas citizens offer funding incentives and land to build Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
  
• 1914: Chamber leaders successfully campaign to establish Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
• 1934: Dallas wins the right to host the Texas Centennial Celebration and Fair Park. 
  
• 1943: Chamber campaigns to establish UT Southwestern Medical Center 
• 1950: Chamber campaigns to develop Dallas County Hospital District
• 1964 to 1967: Chamber helps create regional plan for Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport
• 1980: Chamber campaigns to create in Dallas Area Rapid Transit
• 2007: Chamber lobbies to secure four water reservoirs to meet regional needs for next 30 years.

Since its original inception, the Chamber has evolved into one of the most significant membership-driven organizations of businesses in the United States. Our region's prosperity today rests on the successes of the Chamber during the past century. And today's good public policy will provide the foundation for the new century's prosperity.

The 100th Anniversary Celebration took place on June 4th, 2009. Program speakers included Terdema Ussery, President and CEO of HD/Net and Dallas Mavericks; Richard Fisher, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; and Tom Falk, President and CEO, Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The program was moderated by  Lee Cullum, syndicated columnist and television commentator and included the unveiling of the 100th Anniversary video produced for the Dallas Regional Chamber by HKS and Blue Logic. 

• Dallas Morning News - 100 Years of News