Louie Welch
| Louie Welch | |
|---|---|
Louie Welch speaking, c. 1960's
|
|
| 54th Mayor of Houston | |
|
In office 1964–1973 |
|
| Preceded by | Lewis Cutrer |
| Succeeded by | Fred Hofheinz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 9, 1918 Lockney, Texas |
| Died | January 27, 2008 (aged 89) Houston, Texas |
| Resting place | Brookside Memorial Park in Houston |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
(1) Iola Faye Cure Welch (married 1940-1991, her death) |
| Children | Tina, Gary, Shannon, Lisa, Louie, and Guy Welch |
| Alma mater | Abilene Christian University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Religion | Church of Christ |
(1) Iola Faye Cure Welch (married 1940-1991, her death)
Louie Welch (December 9, 1918 – January 27, 2008) was an American politician who served from 1964 to 1973 as the mayor of Houston, Texas.
Welch was born on December 9, 1918 in Lockney in Floyd County in West Texas. His father, Gilford Edgar Welch, was an automobile mechanic. His mother, the former Nora Shackleford, taught a Bible study at the Church of Christ which the family attended.
He was a member of his high school debate team and was the president of his senior class. Devoted to literature and poetry, he learned the passages that he quoted throughout his life. Memorizing these classic lines may also have contributed to his quick wit and brash one-liners. During his political career, Welch was known for his quick quips he used with the media. Sometimes this 'saltiness' got the diminutive man in trouble; more often than not it served its purpose: defusing the situation while making his point clear: he would stand up for what he believed was right. He studied in Abilene, Texas, at Abilene Christian College, now Abilene Christian University, where he was a varsity cheerleader and a member of Phi Delta Psi social club. In 1940, he received his Bachelor of Arts in history. He was married on December 17, 1940 to his first wife, Iola Faye Cure, in a ceremony performed by Homer Hailey.
At the coaxing of fellow Lions International members, Welch was elected to the Houston City Council and served four two-year terms from 1950 to 1952 and then 1956 to 1962.
After losing three times in bids for mayor, he was elected in 1963. He served for five consecutive two-year terms (Kathy Whitmire was the only other mayor to do so).
Houston grew immensely when Welch was mayor. In 1963, Houston's population reached over one million people, yet was then still considered a "small" city in the eyes of the national media. Under Welch, several events put Houston prominently on the U.S. and world maps, including the opening of the Astrodome in 1965 and the Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969. NASA at nearby Mission Control sent a man to the moon. Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston opened to provide water for Houston. Welch also closed forty inefficient sewage treatment plants, began cleaning up the Houston Ship Channel, focused on bayou beautification; and began development of the downtown Civic Center, among other accomplishments. It should also be noted that Welch was the first Houston mayor to win all precincts during one of his reelections, including predominantly African American areas with which some claim he had trouble.
...
Wikipedia