By Finnell, et al. H.C.R. No. 127 74R4455 KMP-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, In 1991 the Congress of the United States 1-2 established a 65-mile-per-hour speed limit on rural sections of 1-3 interstate highways, recognizing recent advancements in road and 1-4 automobile technology as well as the increased need for rapid road 1-5 transportation in today's competitive global economy; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Current federal law continues, however, to restrict 1-7 the ability of states to adopt this standard for divided four-lane 1-8 highways of comparable design and quality; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Within the borders of Texas, most national and state 1-10 highways traverse broad expanses of rural countryside and, with few 1-11 intersections or potential traffic hazards, are ideally suited for 1-12 higher speed travel than is currently permitted by federal law; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Higher speed limits are essential for promoting 1-14 rapid ground travel in rural areas of Texas, many of which are not 1-15 served by rail, air, or any other mode of transportation; moreover, 1-16 the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit places a disproportionate burden 1-17 on this state's rural residents, who often must travel great 1-18 distances for work, shopping, medical care, and other basic 1-19 necessities; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Responding to the special needs of rural 1-21 communities, the Texas Legislature has enacted a statute that will 1-22 raise the speed limit on divided four-lane highways as soon as 1-23 federal law permits; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The State of Texas can best determine maximum speed 2-1 limits most appropriate to its unique geography, to its vast rural 2-2 highway system, and to the needs of its citizens; now, therefore, 2-3 be it 2-4 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-5 hereby urge the Congress of the United States to allow states to 2-6 establish a 65-mile-per-hour speed limit for rural sections of 2-7 divided four-lane highways; and, be it further 2-8 RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official 2-9 copies of this resolution to the United States secretary of 2-10 transportation, to the speaker of the house of representatives and 2-11 president of the senate of the United States Congress, and to all 2-12 members of the Texas congressional delegation with the request that 2-13 it be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial 2-14 to the Congress of the United States of America.