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HOUSTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2005 HONORS CO-CHAIRMEN GEORGE DEMONTROND AND GORDON QUAN  

HOUSTON , TEXAS – The Texas Dragon Boat Association (TDBA) announces the Honorary Co-Chairs of Houston Dragon Boat Festival 2005: businessman George A. DeMontrond III and Houston City Councilmember Gordon Quan.

To start the 2005 season, the 5th annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7 at Allen's Landing in downtown.

Both Honorary Co-Chairs recognize the positive impact dragon boating has on the Houston area.

"Now in its fifth year, the Houston Dragon Boat Festival has become part of the cultural and sporting tradition of Houston for all families to enjoy,” remarked DeMontrond, President of DeMontrond Automotive Group, who previously chaired Houston 's Olympic bid. Councilmember Quan, who originally proposed the idea of dragon boating in Houston in 2001, commented, "The development of dragon boating in Houston is a dream come true.  It has far exceeded my expectation in five short years.  It has brought together diverse communities to celebrate a Chinese tradition which has now become a Houston tradition."

Corporate and community teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman race 40-foot-long decorated dragon boats in competition for the revered “Dragon Cup.” The Festival featureslive entertainment, Asian food, and arts and crafts. On hand to help celebrate the occasion will be Houston Texans linebacker Kailee Wong, former Houston Oilers quarterback Oliver Luck and Houston City Councilmember Carol Alvarado.

For more information, contact TDBA Executive Director Dr. Caroline Long at 832-687-7208; or visit the website www.texasdragonboat.com.

The Texas Dragon Boat Association is a Texas non-profit corporation established to promote the tradition and sport of dragon boating, to increase awareness of Asian and Asian American culture, and enhance cross-cultural understanding. TDBA is currently seeking sponsors, teams, and volunteers for the May 7, 2005 Houston Dragon Boat Festival in downtown Houston and the October 22-23, 2005 Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta which is officially sanctioned as the American Dragon Boat Association's 2005 Central Region Championship.