AUSTIN - Today Land Commissioner George P. Bush released the following statement relating to Texas House Speaker Joe Straus' appointment of 11 House Members to the newly created Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation, and Infrastructure:
"I applaud Texas Speaker Joe Straus for creating and appointing 11 dedicated members of the House to the Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The creation of this new committee demonstrates the Speaker's recognition of the need to protect our state's most valuable economic trade engines and the risk we face if we fail to protect our coast.
"The Texas Coastal Barrier is our state's most important infrastructure project. A major event could change the course of Texas' economy and irreparably harm the lives of millions of Texans who live along the coast. The GLO has been working on concurrent studies focused on a variety of coastal protection measures - large and small - that can be combined to ensure the protection of our 367 miles of Texas coastline.
"The time has come to get serious about investing in coastal protection. My agency continues to prioritize working together the Corps and local stakeholders as we move forward together to reduce risks along the Texas coast. The Speaker's creation of this new committee is a strong statement of his commitment to ensuring the continued success of key infrastructure that contributes to the nation's economy and quality of life. By working together, I look forward to meeting with the members of this committee to discuss how we can address ongoing threats to the Texas coast for future generations."
Text of proclamation:
PROCLAMATION APPOINTMENT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON TEXAS PORTS, INNOVATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
Pursuant to Rule 1, Section 16, House Rules, I, Joe Straus, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, create the House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation & Infrastructure.
Texas ports connect to global markets across a vast array of industries. The advent of "megaships," expansion of the Panama Canal, and Mexico's project to reform its energy sector are transforming global transportation networks and markets. To ensure Texas is able to take full advantage of these innovations and other economic opportunities presented by its ports, the Committee shall review Texas ports' infrastructure including inland borders and border ports of entry. The Committee shall also analyze changes to the global trade landscape and the preparedness of Texas ports and border ports of entry to capitalize on those changes. Further, the Committee shall identify the near- and long-term challenges facing Texas ports and border points of entry and propose solutions to address those needs.
This committee may request the assistance of other committees in obtaining information.
The committee shall have 11 members.
The following members are hereby appointed to the House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation & Infrastructure.
- Deshotel, Joe, Chair
- Paul, Dennis, Vice-Chair
- Faircloth, Wayne
- Goldman, Craig
- King of Uvalde, Tracy
- Morrison, Geanie
- Oliveira, René
- Ortega, Evelina "Lina"
- Phelan, Dade
- Roberts, Kevin
- Rodriguez of Bexar, Justin
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