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From left, Brian Roussel, Brad Hutchins, Blanca Fernandez, Kay Granger, Jennifer Baggs, and Rusty Anderson of Texas Capital.
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From left, Gyna Bivens, Sam Hill, Erik Vance, and Dana Vance.
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Lori Baldock, Kay Granger, and Michael Crain.
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Kendall Shirey Micallef and Mike Micallef.
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From left, Hal Brown, Kay Granger, and John Henry.
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Jamie Cashion, left, Rosie Moncrief, Mike Moncrief, and Ashley Buckingham.
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J.D. Granger and Kay Granger.
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Rosa Navejar and Charles Reid.
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Dawn Underdown, John Denton, and Debbie White.
The historic Fort Worth Club played host to more than 230 people on Thursday evening for a cocktail reception honoring Fort Worth Inc.’s The 500 and Person of the Year Kay Granger.
Guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and conversation before settling in for a presentation recognizing the honorees.
Granger retired from Congress in January after 28 years as one of the most impactful members in the history of the Texas delegation, finishing her career as chairman and chairman emeritus of the Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful positions in Congress.
She left a legacy in Congress as someone who was a tireless promoter of Fort Worth and who represented the city and Texas’ District 12 with dignity in the House of Representatives.
“It would have been a shame if we didn’t have the opportunity to do this for her,” Fort Worth Inc. Publisher Hal Brown said in remarks.
The 500 is the magazine’s list of the most influential leaders in Fort Worth, compiled by staff based on an examination of transformative impact on their industry; collaborative leadership; and community commitment.
Granger is, “is an individual whose contributions over the course of more than 30 years exemplify the highest expression of the qualities we celebrate in all of you,” said John Henry, Fort Worth Inc. executive editor.
Granger more than met the standard set by her District 12 predecessors in Congress. What has happened from that seat over the past century is truly uncommon in American political history.
Fritz Lanham served from 1919-47. Lanham won a special election to succeed James C. Wilson, appointed by President Wilson to the federal bench. He was dubbed the “father of Fort Worth’s helium plant” for his work in securing for Fort Worth the nation’s only helium producing plant in the 1920s. The federal building downtown is named in Lanham’s honor.
Jim Wright won election in 1954, upsetting Wingate Lucas, Amon Carter’s “private errand boy congressman,” as Wright described him in a public spat with the newspaper publisher. Wright would eventually rise to Speaker of the House in a 34-plus year career that brought bountiful blessings to Fort Worth industries.
Pete Geren, as Granger’s immediate predecessor, held the seat from 1989-97.
We give thanks to our sponsors.
Texas Capital served as platinum sponsor. Gold sponsors were Kelly Hart, Diva Diamonds & Jewels, and Lockheed Martin.