By Oliveira                                           H.C.R. No. 18
         76R3315 RVH-F                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border has always been a key
 1-2     transportation corridor for international commerce, and since the
 1-3     implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
 1-4     trade activity between the United States and Mexico has increased
 1-5     significantly; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, The number of commercial truck crossings from Mexico
 1-7     to Texas has increased by 88 percent for an average annual increase
 1-8     of 17.2 percent; 80 percent of the value of United States exports
 1-9     to Mexico pass through Texas' land ports of entry; and
1-10           WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Public Safety has
1-11     implemented an excellent program designed to increase enforcement
1-12     capabilities and presence at the border in order to address the
1-13     increase of traffic; and
1-14           WHEREAS, The increase in crossings has escalated the need for
1-15     compliance by Mexican truckers with American truck safety
1-16     standards; the adherence to American trucking standards by Mexican
1-17     truckers operating in America is essential to maintaining safe
1-18     trucking standards in the United States; now, therefore, be it
1-19           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-20     hereby urge the United States Department of Transportation to
1-21     provide additional funding for the Texas Department of Public
1-22     Safety to increase manpower at the border to perform truck
1-23     inspections; and, be it further
1-24           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
 2-1     copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the United States
 2-2     Department of Transportation.