HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARCHIVES 

Paper: Houston Chronicle
Date: THU 05/30/02
Section: ThisWeek
Page: 01
Edition: 2 STAR

City's best interest at heart of honorees

By DANNY PEREZ
Staff

Downtown's significant contributors to its growth and vitality will be honored Friday at the Downtown Houston Association's Heart of the City Gala at the Metropolitan Ballroom, 1801 Main St.

This year's honorees are Dynegy Inc., for its service in the community; Gregory Boyd, artistic director of the Alley Theatre, for his work in the arts; and Juanita and Rudy Rasmus , pastors of St. John's United Methodist Church, for establishing the Bread of Life program, which distributes 6,000 hot meals a month to the needy and provides a school for at-risk youth.

"The Heart of the City Awards are given in recognition of outstanding achievements that have also enhanced the vitality of downtown," said Priscilla Larson, president and CEO of the Downtown Houston Association.

The gala is DHA's way of celebrating the city's "can-do spirit" and future development while at the same time raising funds to continue programs in downtown.

"This important work, in conjunction with the business community, remains the force behind the economic and cultural vibrancy of downtown," Larson said.

This year's event - themed "Building to the Future" - will take place in the newly refurbished Renaissance Tower, where guests will be treated to a 245-degree panoramic view of city's skyline.

In addition, the theme was selected to reflect downtown's current and future growth.

"This is such an exciting time for the city," Larson said. "We are watching progress take place on a daily basis. Houston will be the best metropolitan area, a true city of the 21st century."

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