By Kubiak                                        H.C.R. No. 8

      75R4268 PFG-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, Texas is renowned for the quality and breadth of its

 1-2     raw material production, which spans the economic spectrum from

 1-3     agricultural products to hydrocarbons; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Despite this diversity, our state loses potential

 1-5     revenue and jobs each year when raw materials are shipped from

 1-6     Texas to processing facilities in other states; for example, the

 1-7     aluminum plant in Rockdale, one of the largest in the world, ships

 1-8     the bulk of its production elsewhere to be manufactured into

 1-9     valuable finished products ranging from pots and pans to truck

1-10     bumpers; and

1-11           WHEREAS, The development of the finished products industry in

1-12     Texas would create jobs, raise revenue, and boost the state's

1-13     economy; by some estimates, as much as $2 billion annually could be

1-14     realized by modest growth in the agricultural finished products

1-15     industry alone; and

1-16           WHEREAS, To ensure a strong economic future for Texas and to

1-17     maintain our competitive position in the global economy, state

1-18     leaders should make the development and expansion of the finished

1-19     products industry a top priority; now, therefore, be it

1-20           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

1-21     hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house

1-22     of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study and

1-23     report on the potential for finished product development in the

1-24     state utilizing raw materials produced in Texas; and, be it further

 2-1           RESOLVED, That the committee be composed of industrialists,

 2-2     financiers, public officials, computer specialists, and

 2-3     academicians; and, be it further

 2-4           RESOLVED, That the Texas Department of Commerce, General Land

 2-5     Office, Office of the Governor, Texas Department of Agriculture,

 2-6     Texas Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors,

 2-7     Department of Banking of the Finance Commission of Texas, and the

 2-8     comptroller of public accounts each appoint one private citizen

 2-9     with a background related to that agency or office and one staff

2-10     member to the committee; and, be it further

2-11           RESOLVED, That the committee be charged with identifying

2-12     basic industries in Texas with the most potential for finished

2-13     goods development, prioritizing these industries, and developing a

2-14     statewide strategy for closing the gap between raw material and

2-15     finished product development, including financial incentives; and,

2-16     be it further

2-17           RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be

2-18     governed by such general rules and policies for joint interim

2-19     committees as the 75th Legislature may adopt and that such rules

2-20     and policies supersede the provisions of this resolution to the

2-21     extent of any conflict; and, be it further

2-22           RESOLVED, That the joint interim committee submit a full

2-23     report, including findings and recommendations, to the Texas

2-24     Legislature not later than December 12, 1997.