MINUTES
SENATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON NORTH AMERICAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Tuesday, February 10, 1998
10:00 a.m.
Texas A&M Agriculture Extension Building
Corpus Christi, Texas
PUBLIC HEARING
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Committee on
North American Free Trade Agreement was held on Tuesday,
February 10, 1998 in Texas A&M Agriculture Extension Building,
at Corpus Christi, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman Senator Mario
Gallegos, Jr.
Senator John Carona Senator Steve
Ogden
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
Chairman Truan called the public meeting to order at 10:05
a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was
transacted.
After introductory remarks were made by Chairman Truan, he
recognized the following for welcoming remarks: Corpus
Christi Mayor Lloyd Neal; Richard Borchard, Nueces County
Judge; and Dr. Robert R. Furgason, President of Texas A&M
Corpus Christi.
Senator Carona moved to adopt the minutes from the January 14,
1998 Committee hearing held in Mission. There being no
objection, it was so ordered.
The Committee then received comments from Armando Beteta Sr.,
the Consul of Mexico in Corpus Christi and Armando Beteta
Jr., Representative of the Tax Administration Service of
Mexico at the NAFTA Center in Dallas on the impacts and
implementation of NAFTA and the services provided by their
offices. A discussion followed.
The Committee then heard testimony on NAFTA transportation
issues. Those testifying included: Judge Richard Borchard,
Nueces County Judge and member of the 77/281 Coalition; Mr.
Randy Delay, Consultant for the South Texas Border
Partnership; Mr. Joe Moseley, Shiner, Moseley and Associates;
Mr. Tom Griebel, Assistant Executive Director of the Texas
Department of Transportation; Mr. David Puig, Laredo
Development Foundation; Mr. Armando Soto, Greater Corpus
Christi Business Alliance; and Dr. Khosrow Fatemi, Dean of the
College of Business at Texas A&M International University. A
discussion followed. Additional witnesses testifying and
registering are shown on the attached list.
The Committee then received testimony on the impact of NAFTA
on Small Businesses and Port Industries. Those testifying
included: Mr. Massey Villareal, Texas Association of Mexican
American Chambers of Commerce; Mr. Richard Gonzales, New
America Marketing; Mr. Gonzalo Tamez, President of LULAC
Council #1; Mr. Gary Bushell, President of the Greater Corpus
Christi Business Alliance; Mr. Chuck Cazales, CITGO; and Ms.
Lisa Acuna Munoz from Horton Automatics. A discussion
followed. Additional witnesses testifying and registering are
shown on the attached list.
Testimony on the impact of NAFTA on Water Ports followed.
Those testifying included: Mr. George Williamson, Managing
Director of the Port of Houston; Mr. John LaRue, Director of
the Port of Corpus Christi; Mr. Gene Cockrill Director of the
Port of Brownsville; and Mr. George Polinard, Business
Manager for the International Longshoreman's Association. A
discussion followed. Additional witnesses testifying and
registering are shown on the attached list.
The Chairman next received public testimony. A discussion
followed. Additional witnesses testifying and registering are
shown on the attached list.
There being no further business, at 6:00 p.m. Senator
Shapleigh moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to
the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Carlos F. Truan, Chairman
______________________
Carla D. Buckner, Clerk