HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2112-.,.
A Resolution a / I.~
REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF
NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, there are potential health and safety consequences
stemming from the anticipated increase in trade between the United
States and Mexico; and
WHEREAS, NAFTA, beginning December 18th, 1995, will allow
Mexican trucks complete access to all of the border states of the
United States, including Texas; and
WHEREAS, by the year 2000, it is estimated that the United
States/Mexico transborder truck traffic will increase more than
fivefold - to as many as 12 million truck crossings per year; and
WHEREAS, Mexican trucks sometimes carry up to twice the lawful
U S weight and the oversized Mexican trucks operate at safety
standards far below those in the United States and therefore the
massive increase in the number of Mexican trucks passing through
Texas presents many health and safety concerns for Texas citizens;
and
WHEREAS, those trucks pose risks to Texas citizens through
accidents, hazardous waste spills, and inadequate insurance; and
WHEREAS, engineers have estimated that U S highways were
built to last 40 years could be worn out in 12 years or less by the
increase in truck weight and traffic; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that eighty percent of the trade
between Mexico and the United States will run through Texas, our
state will be pivotal in ensuring that the promises of NAFTA are
realized without jeopardizing the lives and safety of our citizens;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
That the City Council hereby urges the leaders in Congress to
take the following actions
1) direct U S representatives to the Land Transportation
Standards Subcommittee to preserve and enforce current state and
federal health and safety laws with regard to the transportation of
foreign motor carriers across public roads;
CITY OF FORT WORTH
2) establish a federal agency working group to coordinate
with appropriate state officials to ensure that Texas state
agencies may access all available federal funds for state
enforcement of health and safety laws against foreign motor
carriers;
3) pursue the issuance of an executive order requiring the
United States Customs Service to enter into cooperative memoranda
of understanding with the State of Texas with regard to the
placement of state law enforcement and regulatory officials at the
17 Customs Ports of Entry located on the 1,200 mile Texas/Mexico
border;
4) urge the federal government to work cooperatively with the
State of Texas to develop a new type of one-stop border
inspection facility across the Texas/Mexico border to ensure that
Mexican trucks comply with state and federal laws
ADOPTED THIS 1~~~ DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1995
Mayor
A EST
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'ty Secretary
.a
apPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
ECG ~~ 1
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CITY OF FORT WORTH