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  80R13038 CLE-F
 
  By: Gallego H.C.R. No. 164
 
  Substitute the following for H.C.R. No. 164:
 
  By:  Krusee C.S.H.C.R. No. 164
 
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, In 1962, Pub. L. No. 87-525 authorized the
  construction of an international bridge across the Rio Grande to
  join Heath Canyon in Texas with the village of La Linda, Coahuila,
  Mexico, for the purpose of transporting refined ore into the United
  States from nearby mills in Mexico and to one day facilitate the
  movement of tourists interested in visiting the Sierra del Carmen
  mountain areas across from Big Bend National Park; and
         WHEREAS, Since the bridge was constructed, the Texas
  Department of Transportation has, without interruption, maintained
  Farm-to-Market Road 2627 as a paved two-lane highway for a 28-mile
  stretch connecting the bridge to United States Highway 385, which
  leads from that junction southward to Big Bend National Park and
  northward 40 miles to Marathon and United States Highway 90; and
         WHEREAS, La Linda Bridge, also known as the Hallie Stillwell
  Memorial Bridge, is still in place and is in good repair but cannot
  be crossed by vehicles or pedestrians because of barriers and the
  placement of "no trespassing" signs at the bridge since 1997
  pursuant to orders issued by the governments of the United States of
  America and the United Mexican States; and
         WHEREAS, The La Linda international crossing is the only
  bridge structure in place and the only point of entry authorized by
  public law between the United States ports of entry at Presidio and
  Del Rio, a distance of 385 miles; and
         WHEREAS, The owners of the United States section of the
  international bridge at La Linda wish the bridge to be reopened and
  operated as a legal border crossing; and
         WHEREAS, Local residents, wildlife and conservation groups,
  outfitters, guides, and hospitality providers who recognize the
  unique attractions of the Big Bend-Maderas del Carmen mountain
  desert corridor wish to see the planned growth of a
  conservation-minded tourism economy but are unable to proceed if
  the La Linda crossing is not functioning; and
         WHEREAS, The safety of tourists wishing to enjoy the area,
  the binational scientific cooperation called for under existing
  international agreements, and the security and public safety of
  communities and citizens on both sides of the international border
  would be enhanced by a functioning border crossing at La Linda; and
         WHEREAS, Over the past six years the State of Coahuila and the
  Commissioners Court of Brewster County, represented by the Big Bend
  Border Council and joined by a coalition of local residents and the
  Big Bend National Park Superintendent, have repeatedly requested
  that the United States Department of State and the Mexican
  Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores take the necessary actions to
  have the bridge and border crossing at La Linda reopened by the
  United States and Mexican federal governments; and
         WHEREAS, The Binational Bridges and Border Crossings working
  group, composed of United States and Mexican federal authorities
  responsible for authorizing international ports of entry and
  required inspections along the international boundary, is convened
  semiannually by the United States Department of State and the
  Mexican Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores and will meet in the
  coming months to consider action on either reopening the bridge at
  La Linda or ordering its removal; and
         WHEREAS, In furtherance of meeting preconditions for
  reopening the bridge set forth by the United States Department of
  State, an agreement on consolidation of ownership into a single
  entity with the capacity to maintain and operate an international
  bridge has been reached between the owners of the United States
  section of the bridge; and
         WHEREAS, It is in the economic, cultural, and security
  interests of the State of Texas and the homeland security interest
  of the United States of America to have a functioning
  border-crossing station under the management and control of trained
  and equipped law enforcement and public safety officials in the
  extensive area known as the Big Bend; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby express its support and encouragement for the reopening of
  the bridge and border crossing at La Linda to accommodate trade and
  tourism between Texas and Coahuila, Mexico, and to better protect
  residents of both countries and secure the protection of our nation
  from threats that might be associated with the illegal crossing of
  individuals or materials with a lethal intent; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby urge the governor and
  the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, the Texas
  Department of Transportation, the Parks and Wildlife Department,
  the secretary of state, the Department of Public Safety, the
  General Land Office, the Texas Historical Commission, and other
  appropriate state agencies to render encouragement and assistance
  to Brewster County and the owners of the La Linda bridge in their
  efforts to reopen the bridge and to assume a role as a stakeholder
  in planning cooperative conservation and tourism initiatives
  across the Big Bend-Maderas del Carmen area; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby urge representatives
  of the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Department of
  Transportation to meet at the earliest possible time with
  representatives of the owners of the United States section of the La
  Linda bridge, of Brewster County, and of Big Bend National Park to
  review the status of the bridge and, as they may deem appropriate,
  recommend formation of an ad hoc liaison committee to offer advice
  and facilitation to Brewster County and the owners of the La Linda
  bridge on the future of the bridge and plans for cross-border
  tourism and conservation; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby call upon the United
  States Department of State to communicate the interest of the State
  of Texas in this matter to the government of the United Mexican
  States and to all other parties participating in decisions relating
  to either reopening or removing the bridge at La Linda; and, be it
  further
         RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
  copies of this resolution to all the members of the Texas delegation
  to the United States Congress and to the United States secretary of
  state and the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, United Mexican
  States.