1-1 By: Munoz (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.C.R. No. 134 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 1995; 1-3 May 15, 1995, read first time and referred to Committee on 1-4 International Relations, Trade, and Technology; May 23, 1995, 1-5 reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; 1-6 May 23, 1995, sent to printer.) 1-7 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-8 WHEREAS, One of the Lone Star State's most important 1-9 thoroughfares, U.S. Highway 83, is currently operating at or near 1-10 capacity in many areas and has been found by many experts to be in 1-11 immediate need of improvement and expansion; and 1-12 WHEREAS, U.S. Highway 83 is essential to maintaining our 1-13 state's competitive edge in international trade; it is the only 1-14 controlled-access road in the National Highway System that connects 1-15 all three major urban centers in the Rio Grande Valley, 1-16 Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen, and is also the only route 1-17 that provides access to and connects all international border 1-18 crossings in Texas; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Critical to South Texans during natural disasters 1-20 and emergencies, U.S. Highway 83 is the main hurricane evacuation 1-21 route out of the Rio Grande Valley; however, due to population 1-22 growth and increased traffic in the area, this highway's capacity 1-23 is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of residents, even in 1-24 off-peak hours; and 1-25 WHEREAS, This South Texas thoroughfare plays a vital role in 1-26 protecting the safety and economic prosperity of the citizens of 1-27 the Lone Star State, and its expansion and improvement are indeed 1-28 in the best interests of all Texans; now, therefore, be it 1-29 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-30 hereby request that the Texas Department of Transportation take all 1-31 necessary steps to expedite improvements to and the expansion of 1-32 U.S. Highway 83 to a six-lane highway in and through Hidalgo and 1-33 Cameron counties; and, be it further 1-34 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 1-35 copy of this resolution to the Texas Department of Transportation. 1-36 * * * * *