2002-023-RES SUPPORT THE EAST TEXAS GULF HIGHWAY ASSN TO COMPLETE EXPANSION OF GREEN CARPET MEMORIAL ROUTE
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,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. "That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all
things approved.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, hereby declares, in the
strongest possible terms, its overwhelming support for the efforts of the East Texas Gulf Highway
Association to complete expansion ofthat thoroughfare designated as the Green Carpet Memorial
Route into four-lane capacity at the earliest possible time, and implores the representatives of the
Texas Department of Transportation Commission to consider favorably this request.
Section 3. That the Mayor, City Manager, and all other necessary and appropriate City
officials are hereby authorized to extend all efforts possible in support of this resolution and its goals.
Section 4. That this resolution shall be presented to the Texas Department of Transportation
Commission, and to all other appropriate State and Federal officials, whether appointed or elected,
as an expression of enthusiastic support on the part ofthe City of Paris for said project.
Section 5. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
AND PARTICIPATING, as reflected by the signatures below, on this 14th day of January, 2002.
~~~H"~
Richar Manning, Mayor Pro T
~ )#~~
J cCarthy, Councilman
~~JJ
Jo Be 1, 0 cilman
,bdL
Benny Plata, 0 cilman
'Jf~ 19.
Kevin Gray, co~
/!ct~t,
Jeer, Courltilman
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM: