78R9609 MDM-D

By:  Seaman                                                       H.R. No. 581



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, On March 26, 2003, a delegation from the Texas Motor 
Transportation Association (TMTA) is visiting the State Capitol, 
and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to salute their 
industry for its significant contributions to the state's economy; 
and
	WHEREAS, The trucking industry provides jobs for one out of 
every 11 Texas workers, or more than 620,000 individuals; 
approximately 43,000 motor carriers are registered with the Texas 
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and every day, more than 
500,000 commercial vehicles are operated on the roads of the Lone 
Star State; and
	WHEREAS, Trucks transport nearly 60 percent of the state's 
manufactured goods and make deliveries to every Texas community, 72 
percent of which rely exclusively on motor carriers for the 
commodities they receive; in addition, the trucking industry 
generates more than $17.5 billion in salaries each year and pays 
nearly $1.7 billion in state and federal highway taxes and fees; and
	WHEREAS, Thanks in large part to its concerted focus on 
safety, the motor carrier industry has realized a 40 percent 
decrease in the number of heavy trucks involved in accidents in 
Texas since 1980, despite a 37.5 percent increase in trucking miles 
traveled; among the safety efforts sponsored by the TMTA are a 
safety certification program, an industry-funded commercial motor 
vehicle safety initiative that promotes safety on Texas highways, 
and a number of educational programs for both the industry and the 
motoring public; and
	WHEREAS, A collaboration between the TMTA and TxDOT has 
produced the first mobile highway safety classroom, featuring a 
state-of-the-art, full-motion driver simulator; as well as 
improving commercial truck driver skills, the classroom is intended 
to foster a safe sharing of the state's roadways by the operators of 
both trucks and passenger vehicles; and
	WHEREAS, Providing employment for myriad Texans and an 
essential means of transport, the trucking industry indeed merits 
the recognition of this chamber for the vital role it plays in the 
economy of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize March 26, 2003, as Trucking Day at the 
State Capitol and extend to all those associated with this event 
best wishes for a memorable visit and future success.