MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND TRADE Wednesday, October 6, 2004 9:30 a.m. Texas A&M International University ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade was held on Wednesday, October 6, 2004, in the Texas A&M International University. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator John Carona Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Kel Seliger Senator Craig Estes Senator Judith Zaffirini ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: Chairman Lucio called the hearing to order, and offered opening remarks. Senator Zaffirini offered welcoming remarks. Mayor Elizabeth Flores, City of Laredo, and Dr. Dan R. Jones, on behalf of Texas A&M International University, offered welcoming remarks to the committee. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on August 9, 2004; without objection, it was so ordered. The committee heard testimony from invited witnesses. Witnesses testifying at the hearing are shown on the attached list. At 10:58 a.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. At 11:06 a.m. Senator Lucio resumed the chair. Pursuant to the San Antonio hearing, at 11:09 a.m., Senator Zaffirini moved that the Governor's Border Commerce Coordinator address the issue of One-Stop Border truck inspections facilities and restart the 1999 Border Inspection and Trade Working Group. Without objection, it was so ordered. An additional motion was made by Senator Zaffirini to modify the previous motion to include the issue of undertaking truck inspections on the Mexican side of the Border to the restarted Working Group. Without objection, it was so ordered. At 11:52 a.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. At 12:12 p.m. Senator Lucio resumed the chair. At 2:13 p.m. Senator Shapleigh assumed the chair. At 4:55 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. There being no further business, at 5:10 p.m. Senator Zaffirini moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. ______________________ Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair ______________________ LeAnn Gallegos, Clerk