TITLE: Recognizing February 16, 2011, as Trucking Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 16, 2011, as Trucking Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Motor Transportation Association and the Southwest Movers Association have traveled to Austin on February 16, 2011, to celebrate Trucking Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Nearly 600,000 people are employed by the trucking industry in Texas, which accounts for 1 out of every 15 jobs in the state; in addition, there are more than 20,000 trucking companies registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and approximately one million commercial vehicles operating daily in the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, Trucks transport nearly 81 percent of all the state's manufactured commodities, delivering necessary products to every Texas community, more than 82 percent of which rely exclusively on these motor carriers for their goods; the trucking industry further benefits the economy by generating over $31.1 billion in annual salaries and paying almost $3.1 billion in state and federal highway taxes and fees; trucking also pays 40 percent of all motorists' taxes and fees while representing 12 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in Texas; and WHEREAS, Safety has long been a priority of the motor carrier industry, and this focus is showing positive results with the large truck fatality rate at its lowest point since the U.S. Department of Transportation began keeping such records, registering a 64 percent decline since 1975; the Texas Motor Transportation Association complies with the nation's environmental regulations and offers a variety of educational programs aimed at both the industry and the motoring public; the organization also supports a safety certification program, an industry-funded commercial motor vehicle initiative designed to promote more secure travel on Texas highways; and WHEREAS, The trucking industry is a vital part of the Texas economy; primarily composed of locally owned small businesses that are, in turn, served by an array of supporting businesses, the industry provides an invaluable service and employs many proud Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 16, 2011, as Trucking Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those associated with the event sincere best wishes for a memorable visit to Austin. McClendon Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 441 was adopted by the House on March 3, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House