BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1129 By: West State Affairs 3-21-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Reverend Sylvester Marilyn Wright served as the pastor of Peoples Missionary Baptist Church and was a powerful, positive influence on the history of race relations in Dallas beginning as early as 1957. Rev. Wright was known for his persuasive preaching and his powerful voice. In 1962, Rev. Wright was elected chairman of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and began building ties with the Dallas power structure. He achieved recognition for trying to balance the needs of various racial groups to keep the communities together. Rev. Wright was elected president of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas in 1980, awarded an honorary doctorate from Bishop College in 1986, and elected president of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America in 1994. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1129 designates portions of certain state and interstate highways in Dallas County as the S.M. Wright Freeway. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Designates the portions of U.S. Highway 175 in Dallas County between Interstate Highway 45 and State Highway 310 and State Highway 310 between U.S. Highway 175 and State Loop 12 as the S.M. Wright Freeway in recognition of that person's spiritual and civic contributions to the city of Dallas and the State of Texas. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation. SECTION 2. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to design and construct memorial markers to be placed along U.S. Highway 175 and State Highway 310 indicating their designation as the S.M. Wright Freeway. (b) Requires the markers to include the highway number and other information that the department determines is appropriate. (c) Requires the markers to be erected at each end of the highway and at intermediate sites that the department determines are appropriate. (d) Provides that the department is responsible for repair and replacement of the markers and grounds. (e) Authorizes the department to accept grants and donations to assist in financing the construction and maintenance of the markers. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.