| 2 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 3 | 4 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
|---|
| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Members of Transportation Excellence for the 21st |
|---|
| 6 | 7 | | Century and its U.S. 287 Corridor Task Force are gathering in Austin |
|---|
| 7 | 8 | | on February 15, 2017, for their legislative day at the State |
|---|
| 8 | 9 | | Capitol; and |
|---|
| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, A research organization composed of both government |
|---|
| 10 | 11 | | and business leaders, TEX-21 was founded in 1999 with the mission of |
|---|
| 11 | 12 | | increasing funding for the Texas Department of Transportation in |
|---|
| 12 | 13 | | order to better address infrastructure needs statewide; over the |
|---|
| 13 | 14 | | years, the nonprofit has served as an important advocate for |
|---|
| 14 | 15 | | various corridors and ports across Texas; and |
|---|
| 15 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Current TEX-21 priorities include expiring revenue |
|---|
| 16 | 17 | | enhancements, the Third Coast Initiative, and the U.S. 287 Corridor |
|---|
| 17 | 18 | | Study; and |
|---|
| 18 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Though its U.S. 287 Corridor Task Force, TEX-21 is |
|---|
| 19 | 20 | | working toward improving U.S. Route 287 to meet interstate highway |
|---|
| 20 | 21 | | standards; the highway is one of the most vital transport corridors |
|---|
| 21 | 22 | | in the Lone Star State, stretching northwest from Port Arthur |
|---|
| 22 | 23 | | across Texas and through the United States, as well as intersecting |
|---|
| 23 | 24 | | or merging with nearly every major highway in the state; moreover, |
|---|
| 24 | 25 | | it serves as an alternative truck route from the Port of Beaumont, |
|---|
| 25 | 26 | | which is the nation's largest military equipment port, and the Port |
|---|
| 26 | 27 | | of Port Arthur to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the American |
|---|
| 27 | 28 | | Midwest, and as a critical evacuation route for Texas Gulf |
|---|
| 28 | 29 | | residents during hurricanes; and |
|---|
| 29 | 30 | | WHEREAS, TEX-21 has helped to augment safety, enhance |
|---|
| 30 | 31 | | mobility for people and goods, and create jobs throughout the Lone |
|---|
| 31 | 32 | | Star State, and it is most fitting to take this opportunity to honor |
|---|
| 32 | 33 | | the organization; now, therefore, be it |
|---|
| 33 | 34 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
|---|
| 34 | 35 | | Legislature hereby recognize February 15, 2017, as TEX-21 |
|---|
| 35 | 36 | | Legislative Day in Austin and commend all those associated with |
|---|
| 36 | 37 | | Transportation Excellence for the 21st Century and the U.S. 287 |
|---|
| 37 | 38 | | Corridor Task Force for their contributions in behalf of their |
|---|
| 38 | 39 | | fellow citizens. |
|---|