Emmett honored with civic award from Central Houston                                                                                         

Ed Emmett ’71, a professor in the practice in Rice University’s School of Social Sciences, was presented the Allen Award for Civic Enhancement by Central Houston on March 5 at the Lancaster Hotel.

Bob Eury, at left, presents an award to Ed Emmett at the Central Houston reception at the Lancaster Hotel Tuesday March 5,2019. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Emmett, who also serves as a senior fellow for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a fellow for Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, received the annual award for his steady support of downtown Houston as a key part of the urban area. Emmett served as Harris County judge from 2007 to 2019 and as a Texas state representative from 1979 to 1987.

“When I first moved here from East Texas in 1966, my father and I lived in a hotel in downtown Houston for a month,” Emmett said. “I was awestruck. As a public official and as a resident of the Houston area, I have always understood the need for a strong central business district. Now, in my role at Rice, I hope to continue supporting downtown Houston.”

Previous recipients of the award include Foley’s, Shell Oil Co., Toyota Center, Bob McNair, Houston Endowment and former mayors Bob Lanier and Annise Parker.

Central Houston was founded in 1983 by downtown business leaders to ensure that the center city remains vital and progressive. More information on the organization is available online at https://www.centralhouston.org.