By Keffer                                             H.C.R. No. 33
         77R2278 JLZ-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The safety of citizens across the state, and in
 1-2     particular the safety of our children, is a matter of utmost
 1-3     importance to Texans everywhere; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Transportation plays a
 1-5     significant role in providing for the safety of citizens as they
 1-6     travel on Texas highways, by authorizing, installing, and
 1-7     maintaining traffic-control devices wherever such devices are
 1-8     needed throughout the state highway system; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Although such devices generally serve to regulate
1-10     traffic and alert motorists and pedestrians to situations where
1-11     caution and care are necessary, the need for traffic-control
1-12     devices is especially critical along state highways and state-owned
1-13     rights-of-way in areas where significant numbers of schoolchildren
1-14     must travel on a daily basis, principally school zones adjacent to
1-15     or near school campuses; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Despite this critical need, undue delays in the
1-17     installation of traffic signals in school zones at or near newly
1-18     constructed school campuses and the absence of those devices even
1-19     in zones around some existing campuses have seriously jeopardized
1-20     the well-being of countless young schoolchildren as they travel to
1-21     and from school every day; and
1-22           WHEREAS, While the members of this Texas Legislature
1-23     recognize the widespread need for the installation of
1-24     traffic-control devices throughout the state's extensive highway
 2-1     system, it is our fervent desire that the Texas Department of
 2-2     Transportation give top priority to the authorization and
 2-3     installation of such devices wherever a state highway passes
 2-4     through or near a school zone in this state; now, therefore, be it
 2-5           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-6     hereby express its support for the expedited installation of
 2-7     traffic-control devices on state highways at or near school
 2-8     campuses and encourage the Texas Department of Transportation and
 2-9     the Texas Transportation Commission to implement appropriate
2-10     policies and procedures for the expedited installation of such
2-11     devices; and, be it further
2-12           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
2-13     copy of this resolution to the executive director of the Texas
2-14     Department of Transportation and to the chair of the Texas
2-15     Transportation Commission.