HOUSTONIANS MARK MAJOR MILESTONE & INCREASE SUPPORT
FOR STUDENTS PURSUING SAFETY, HEALTH, ENGINEERING FIELDS

     HOUSTON, TX (February 18, 2004) - One of the largest and oldest professional organizations in Houston will be celebrating two milestones March 4. The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) marks its 65 th anniversary at noon at Brady's Landing in Houston where chapter members will present a $3800 donation to ASSE President James "Skipper" Kendrick, CSP, of Hurst, TX, fully endowing the Gulf Coast Chapter Past President's Scholarship fund.

    The Gulf Coast Chapter was organized in Houston in 1937 as the Independent Petroleum Safety Engineers Club and was chartered on March 24, 1939. The chapter is now ASSE's largest with over 1200 members. It serves the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Houston, Leon, Madison, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, Waller, and Washington. It is one of 15 chapters in of ASSE's Region III that serves the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

    "We are committed to providing value to our members through professional development, communication, the sharing of ideas, and by enhancing the occupational safety, health and environmental profession," 2003-4 Gulf Coast Chapter President Robert C. Gussman said. "ASSE and its members are committed to protecting people, property and the environment and we do this through our support for students with scholarships and training, and, by serving the communities in which our members live and work."

    For instance, last May the Gulf Coast Chapter joined with the regional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in launching a successful workplace safety educational program in the Houston high schools for students and teachers.

    Joining ASSE President Kendrick and chapter members at the March 4 celebration will be ASSE Region III Vice President Richard Bourlon, PE, CSP, of Grand Prairie, TX; ASSE Executive Director Fred J. Fortman; and past ASSE Presidents and Gulf Coast Chapter members Mark Hansen, PE, CSP, Eddie Greer, CSP, and Frank Perry, PE, CSP; and 15 Gulf Coast Chapter past presidents.
By fully endowing the Gulf Coast Chapter Past President's Scholarship fund with the chapter's March 4 donation, a scholarship of $1000 will be awarded each year by the ASSE Foundation to a student studying in the fields of safety, health or the environment.

    Additionally, President Kendrick will speak on "What ASSE Has Done for Me".

    According to the Houston Business Journal, the ASSE Gulf Coast Chapter is the 24th largest professional organization in Houston. The geographic diversity and broad membership base combined with the many different businesses that members work in allow for opportunities to meet, network and exchange ideas. Members and interested supporters participate in activities through General Chapter, North, South or Student Sections and Construction Practice Specialty activities.

    Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. For more information check ASSE's web site at http://www.asse.org.

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The media is welcome to attend the March 4 event. Please contact Jerry Cumby or Cindy Lewis.

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