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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Truck drivers played a vital role in maintaining |
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supply chains during Winter Storm Uri, which battered the Southwest |
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for days in February 2021; and |
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WHEREAS, In advance of the historic storm, Texans emptied |
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store shelves of essential items, from food to medicine; more than |
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80 percent of Texas communities depend exclusively on trucks for |
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the movement of goods, and although the industry was already in a |
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capacity crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies increased |
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load-to-truck ratios in order to meet urgent demand; and |
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WHEREAS, Grocers typically maintain lean inventories in |
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expectation of just-in-time deliveries, so supplies became |
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increasingly scarce as weather conditions deteriorated; although |
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companies in the Texas supply chain are experienced in preparations |
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for tropical storms and hurricanes in the summer and fall, the |
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sudden onset of an ice storm in February left them with little time |
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to implement preventive strategies; and |
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WHEREAS, Winter Storm Uri proved remarkable in its geographic |
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reach as well as its duration, disrupting traffic from the |
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Northwest to the Southeast; movement at the U.S.-Mexico border |
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nearly halted as the storm system interrupted power supply in |
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northern Mexico, and truckers attempting to bring goods into Texas |
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from other directions dealt with a wide range of hazards, from poor |
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road conditions to fuel scarcity as gas lines at truck stops froze; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Despite severe challenges, truckers persevered in |
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order to meet the rising need for food, medicine, and other |
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assistance; such industry groups as American Trucking |
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Associations, the Texas Trucking Association, and the Southwest |
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Movers Association coordinated with state and local officials to |
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aid relief efforts, from transporting generators to providing |
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potable water for residents, hospitals, and other essential |
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organizations; and |
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WHEREAS, Going above and beyond to maintain supply chains |
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jeopardized by Winter Storm Uri, truck drivers helped Texans |
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surmount extreme hardships, and in so doing, they earned our |
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profound gratitude and appreciation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend truckers for their outstanding |
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contributions during Winter Storm Uri and extend to all those |
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involved in the trucking industry sincere best wishes for the |
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future. |
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Martinez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 418 was adopted by the House on March |
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25, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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