2002-023-RES SUPPORT THE EAST TEXAS GULF HIGHWAY ASSN TO COMPLETE EXPANSION OF GREEN CARPET MEMORIAL ROUTE

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RESOLUTION NO. 2002-023 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, EXPRESSING THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE EAST TEXAS GULF HIGHWAY ASSOCIATION TO PREVAIL UPON THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO COMPLETE THE EXPANSION OF THE GREEN CARPET MEMORIAL ROUTE, INCLUDING A PORTION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 271 FROM MT. PLEASANT TO PARIS, TO A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY; RECOGNIZING THE ECONOMIC NECESSITY AND BENEFIT FROM SUCH HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the East Texas Gulf Highway Association was organized in 1965; and, WHEREAS, a primary objective of said Association since 1965 has been to develop a four- lane highway from Houston, Texas, to the south border of Oklahoma, called the Green Carpet Memorial Route; and, WHEREAS, a mere 54.5 miles of highway remain to be expanded to accommodate four~lane traffic, 48 miles from Mt. Pleasant to Paris, and 6.5 miles on State Highway 135 between Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 271; and, WHEREAS, major industries such as Campbell's Soup Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Phillips Lighting, The Earthgrains Company, and countless others depend on the use of said highways for the transport of raw materials and finished products, the sale of which maintains the economic viability and well-being of tens ofthousands of citizens in Oklahoma and Texas; and, WHEREAS, the economic need and impact of such highway expansion cannot be overstated, especially since such major industries are now engaged in intense competition on a world-wide basis for their markets, thereby necessitating rapid transit of such goods at the lowest possible cost to international port areas, such as Houston; and, WHEREAS, the East Texas Gulf Highway Association has continuously, for in excess of thirty-five (35) years, made overtures and petitions to agencies of the State of Texas charged with the construction of said highway project; and, WHEREAS, preliminary actions have already been taken, the Green Carpet Memorial Route having been made a part of the Texas Trunk System in November 1998, as well as bearing a U.S Highway designation; and, WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation Commission has scheduled a meeting for February 28,2002, in Lufkin, Texas, wherein the prospect and possibility of construction ofthe Green Carpet Memorial Route again will be considered; and, WHEREAS, the City of Paris stands ready and willing to consider any reasonable costs on a participation basis for right-of-way or otherwise if and when the Texas Department of Transportation Commission initiates appropriate action to bring this project to fruition; NOW, THEREFORE,