"[2] In 1908, Rice called a meeting of Ship Channel supporters to discuss ideas for expediting the project, even suggesting it should the City of Houston should takeover control.

"[5] In January 1909, Rice appointed a committee representing the City of Houston to collaborate with leaders from Beaumont, Texas, who were lobbying Congress for a navigation district.

Congress passed a bill that allowed the creation of navigation districts not just for Beaumont, but also for other Texas cities, each contingent on local referendum.

In December 1909, Rice led a local delegation to lobby the House Rivers and Harbors Committee for a fifty percent federal grant to support the Houston Ship Channel project.

On election day, January 10, 1911, Rice declared that businesses close early to allow voters to get to the polls.