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Gordon Quan is currently serving his second term on the Houston City Council as an at large member. The citizens of Houston rewarded Quan's hard work and leadership during his first term. He received more votes than any other incumbent council member, over 130,000 plus votes.
Gordon Quan has governed by finding solutions. His approach has combined a reasonableness and maturity that has been successful in building coalitions to create positive change. Council Member Quan's approachability has gained the respect of constituents, city employees, contractors, interest groups and his colleagues.
Council Member Quan has championed a variety of issues to make Houston a more livable city.
HOUSING - As chair of the city Council's Housing Initiatives Committee, Council Member Quan has made providing low and medium income housing a priority. He has pushed for activating the land Assemblage Program, turning tax-burdened inner city lots in to quality housing for low and medium income families. Quan has sought to work with a variety of developers and community leaders to fill this shortage.
TRANSPORTATION - A strong advocate for public transportation Council Member Quan has worked closely with Metro to design a regional transportation plan that will serve the entire city. Council Member Quan serves as the city's representative on the Houston Galveston Area Council
(HGAC), transportation Policy Committee.
Council Member Quan along with Council passed the street cut ordinance that requires that all utilities work together with the city so that traffic disruption and streets repairs are not continuously occurring.
TAXES - Council Member Quan orchestrated the compromise on city council to reduce the property tax rate by a penny in the year 2000.
Council Member Quan has researched and proposed over ten measures to raise the city's income without raising taxes. Council Member Quan is committed to guarding the cities tax dollars and using them in the most efficient and effective manner.
SENIOR CITIZENS- As this population grows at a record rate, Gordon Quan has worked diligently to insure that senior citizens are treated with respect, dignity and understanding. He has worked for local funding for congregate meals and the "Meals on Wheels program". He has sought to implement recommendations by the United Way to improve funding sources for the elderly.
Gordon organized the first summit on senior citizen issues. The outcome of the summit provided a guide on transportation options and increased emphasis on senior housing. The Council Member hosted annual holiday parties for Houston area seniors drawing over a thousand participants. He hosted the first Miss Senior Houston Pageant.
He has also developed a variety of activities for Older Americans Month including picnics, fishing tournaments, special days at the zoo, museums and Enron Field.
PUBLIC SAFETY - Council Member Quan has been the force behind improving the safety of convenience stores, along with the Houston Police Department. Mr. Quan developed a store safety kit including 10-minute video outlining safety precautions that all store employees can use. Additionally the Mr. Quan secured private funding to have the video translated into Urdu, Hindi, Korean and Vietnamese.
IMMIGRANTS - Houston is one of the top five destinations for immigrants to the United States, Gordon Quan has worked to make Houston a city that welcomes and assists new arrivals to quickly assimilate as productive Houstonians. Working with Mayor Brown, Quan assisted in the creation of the Mayor's Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs (MOIRA).
MOIRA has received thousands of calls for assistance and has helped refer persons to the appropriate social service agency, government agency, community organization or individuals who can provide direction and help. The office has played an advocacy role on US immigration issues and the treatment of immigrants with in the City of Houston. MOIRA has been especially active in addressing community fears of selective prosecution following the terrorist act of 9/11.
DIVERSITY - Through his circle of Unity Program, Council Member Quan has sought to promote greater understanding between Houston's diverse communities. He has held town hall meetings in Southwest Houston, helped to establish the Northeast Multicultural Coalition, assisted in a needs assessment of the Spring Branch area and has interceded to dispel racial tensions in Sunnyside. Council Member Quan's Youth Cultural Exchange Program has been cited as a model for Houston Independent School District on race relations.
SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE - The council member has promoted better business practices for the city and the local economy by opening the doors to doing business with the city, keeping city contracts accessible to small companies, and reaching out to increase participation. Council Member Quan has held workshops for small business owners to familiarize them with the process at city hall.
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