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78R10031 RVH-D
By: Goolsby H.R. No. 593
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In the spring of 1969, children attending schools on
either side of Interstate Highway 635 in north Dallas County were
endangering themselves and motorists when using an elevated,
uncovered pedestrian walkway to cross the interstate on their way
to and from school; and
WHEREAS, Some children were dropping schoolbooks, lunch
boxes, and other objects over the walkway's edge and onto motorists
using the highway that runs beneath the walkway; other children
were walking its narrow, unprotected ledges and even dangling
themselves and others over its sides; and
WHEREAS, Concerned parents, parent-teacher associations, and
neighborhood groups had been concerned about this hazard for some
time but were frustrated and angry because they had been unable to
get any positive response or action from state or federal officials
to address this dangerous situation; and
WHEREAS, After reading a newspaper story that highlighted the
dangers posed by the walkway, State Representative Joe Ratcliff, a
member of the Texas House of Representatives in the 57th, 60th, and
61st legislatures, promptly investigated the situation; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ratcliff contacted the officials and
agencies having jurisdiction over IH-635 and the walkway; he met
with local law enforcement and safety departments and affected
parents and school groups and promised all who were concerned that
the problem would be fixed; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ratcliff vowed to pass legislation
directing that the walkway be covered to protect the children,
prompting the agency to cover the walkway and all others in the
state, especially those used by children; and
WHEREAS, The simple, heartfelt actions taken by Mr. Ratcliff
more than 30 years ago led to the addition of significant safety
features that today continue to ensure the safety of the children
using that walkway and others across the state and of motorists on
IH-635 and other Texas roads; his contribution to the well-being of
Texans everywhere truly merits appropriate public recognition;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas
Legislature hereby request the Texas Department of Transportation
to designate the pedestrian walkway that crosses IH-635 and
connects the city of Farmers Branch to the city of Dallas as the Joe
Ratcliff Walkway; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the executive director of the Texas
Department of Transportation.