TITLE: Expressing support for the completion of La Entrada al Pacifico international trade corridor.

SUMMARY: Expressing support for the completion of La Entrada al Pacifico international trade corridor.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, La Entrada al Pacifico is a state and federally designated trade corridor that is designed to connect West Texas with the Pacific port of Topolobampo in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico; and WHEREAS, This major new trade corridor, "the Gateway to the Pacific," was conceived in the 1990s to maximize the opportunities created by the North American Free Trade Agreement; the project has been advanced by a dynamic coalition that includes the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance and the economic development departments of the States of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Durango; and WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, trade with Mexico has continued to grow, and this new corridor will increase trade between West Texas and Chihuahua, one of the Lone Star State's largest export markets; and WHEREAS, The corridor will allow businesses in the Midland-Odessa area to access the Pacific Rim and East Asian nations through Topolobampo, a closer and less expensive alternative to the crowded Port of Los Angeles, and it will ease pressure on the highly congested international crossing at El Paso; and WHEREAS, The corridor will provide the communities it serves with enormous opportunities to participate in global economic expansion, and its completion will contribute significantly to the prosperity of Texas, Chihuahua, Durango, and Sinaloa; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby express support for the completion of La Entrada al Pacifico international trade corridor.