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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is one of the |
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most important ports of entry on the United States-Mexico border; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Opened in 1994, the bridge spans 3.2 miles as it |
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connects U.S. Highway 281 to the rapidly growing city of Reynosa, |
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one of northern Mexico's major industrial cities, and it is |
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crossed, on average, by 110,000-125,000 vehicles each month; and |
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WHEREAS, With its strategic location in an area that features |
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extensive infrastructure and services as well as strong growth |
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potential, the bridge bolsters the economies of both Pharr and |
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Reynosa by improving the convenience of operations for importers, |
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exporters, and domestic and multinational manufacturing companies; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is |
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recognized as the most-utilized commercial bridge in South Texas; |
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in 2014, it carried a record-setting $30.62 billion in trade, an |
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increase of $2.17 billion or 7.63 percent over the previous year's |
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total, and Pharr ranked no. 29 for total trade among the nation's |
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roughly 450 airports, seaports, and border crossings; heavily used |
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for the transport of produce, the bridge ranked first among U.S. |
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air, sea, and land border crossings for avocados, melons, and |
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berries, and it was no. 2 for tomato imports and for produce |
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overall; and |
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WHEREAS, Commercial traffic enjoys the fastest crossing time |
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in the Rio Grande Valley at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge; |
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known as "the intelligent bridge," this vital international |
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transportation link employs the Free and Secure Trade "F.A.S.T. |
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Lane" program, which allows for the expedited inspection of |
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documents and cargoes, as well as the Automated Commercial |
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Environment program; in addition, bridge security uses gamma ray |
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inspection equipment and other state-of-the-art technology; |
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current data indicates the increase in commercial truck traffic at |
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the bridge reflects industry confidence in the port's safety, |
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convenience, and prompt adaptation to the needs and expectations of |
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international commerce representatives; and |
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WHEREAS, The bridge's success has been made possible through |
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the outstanding efforts of many area residents, including Pharr |
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city manager Fred Sandoval, members of the city commission, and the |
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bridge's board of directors, which is composed of elected officials |
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and community representatives; moreover, the many skilled and |
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dedicated individuals involved in the bridge's operations and |
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maintenance are essential to its mission, as are the local staff and |
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officers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. |
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Department of Homeland Security and its U.S. Customs and Border |
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Protection agency; and |
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WHEREAS, The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge plays an |
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important role in this country's international trade, and it has |
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contributed significantly to the economic development of the Rio |
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Grande Valley and to the prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Pharr-Reynosa International |
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Bridge for its major significance as a port of entry and extend |
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sincere appreciation to all those whose work has furthered the |
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bridge's operation. |