Sugar Land Council Member Thomas Abraham Hosts a Successful Fund Raiser
BY DINESH SHAH
October 2, 2009

Thomas Abraham hosted a fund raiser for re-election as councilman for City of Sugar Land

SUGAR LAND: Today we have five Indo-Americans as elected officials in Greater Houston Area. Thomas Abraham is the first elected official not only in Greater Houston Area but in the entire State of Texas for the Indo-American Community.

He is getting ready for re-election as a fourth term councilman for the City of Sugar Land. Five years ago during his first time election, he got elected with only two votes, and last two terms he was uncontested.

On Thursday September 24, Abraham organized a fund raiser at Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land. Though it was on a weekday and early morning breakfast event, however, about 400 people came to extend their strong support to him. The attendance was very well diversified – politically and ethnically.

A long list of honorable elected officials including Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and mostly all from Fort Bend County including the State Representatives Dora Olivo and John Zerwas, State Senator District 17 Joan Hoffman, County Judge Bob Hebert, District Attorney John Healey, Commissioner James Patterson, Fort Bend Economic Development Council Chairman Bob Brown, and the entire Sugar Land City Council including Mayor Jimmy Thompson but excluding Jackie Chaumette. Ken Mathew, a Mayor Pro-Tem of City of Stafford and FBISD Trustee Sonal Bhuchar also attended the event.

With this type of community response, it was considered one of the best political events in the city of Sugar Land.

The credit goes to Thomas Abraham for his tireless service to the community and achievements. Councilman Abraham has accomplished a long list of achievements. Recently he has been elected president of Texas Municipal League (TML) Region 14 – San Jacinto Region-Houston Area, again a First Asian-American.

He will serve as presiding officer and chief executive. The Texas Municipal League, formed in 1913, serves the needs and advocates the interests of more than 1,100 cities and towns comprising the membership. A great honor was bestowed to him to meet Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other high ranking officials at the White House.

His other accomplishments include - vice president of the Sugar Land Development Corporation, chairman of Sugar Land Reinvestment Zone No. 3, and a board member on the Houston-Galveston Area Council. As a Council Liaison for SL Municipal Regional Airport for two terms, he takes a pride for city’s state of the art airport and terminal building including US custom office and added two new taxi ways, one of the named as “Taxi India.” So far the city of Sugar Land has employed more than fifteen Indo-Americans.

He is also sincerely trying to enroll Indo-Americans in the Police and Fire Department of the city. He has served two terms in Business Incentive Committee and played an important role to promote economic development of the city by encouraging new businesses and development including TelFair, Lake Pointe, Riverstone and Imperial Sugar. He supports for the Safety First, lower taxes, high quality infrastructure, and aggressive economic development incentives. He believes in building partnership with business, which creates strong economic growth and development.

The entire event was well organized. During the sit down breakfast, the former Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode introduced all the elected officials.

Then Pastor Richard Ford and Fort Bend County Precinct Four Constable Troy Nehls performed the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance respectively. After the brief remarks by Joan Hoffman, John Zerwas, and Bob Hebert, the Sugar Land Mayor Jimmy Thompson introduced Thomas Abraham with a wonderful remark about his achievements and praised his community service and commitment to the citizens of Sugar Land.

Thomas Abraham said in his remarks, “Friends, today I am very humble, and admit that all these were possible because of your support and your faith in me. Your confidence in me inspires me and I intend to run for the 4th and final term as City Council at Large position.” Then Councilman Abraham attributed the credit of his accomplishments to the community.

“Together, our business climate, amenities, lifestyle, and people make Sugar Land a great place to live and work” said Tom Abraham. After thanking everyone by Abraham the event was concluded with a feeling of success.