HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 81-83 No ,Q-1
'R 'ESO 'LUTI '0N
WHEREAS, South East Texas is blanketed by a network of railways
reaching into many business and residential com-nunities; and,
WHEREAS, there have been many neglected violations of railway
maintenance and construction found in the area, most recently by the
Federal Administration; and,
WHEREAS, there is a very limited number of federal rail safety
inspectors serving this portion of the country, and in order to meet
the problem of inspecting and repairing the hundreds of miles of sub-
standard and dangerous railroad tracks in Texas, more inspectors are
needed to protect the lives and property of our residents; and,
WHEREAS, the Railroad Commission, in its budget request for the
1982-83 biennium, has requested a state expenditure of $231,366 in
order to meet a matching federal grant in the same amount; and,
WHEREAS, if this funding is obtained, up to eight additional
railroad safety inspectors could be hired to inspect railroad tracks
and rolling stock in Texas; and,
WHEREAS, there is a very urgent need for additional inspectors,
particularly in the Beaumont area because of the large amount of
hazardous and dangerous chemical products transported through our City
and surrounding area, and because of the close proximity of these rail
shipments to the nunerous refineries and petrochemical plants; and,
WHEREAS, a derailment due to faulty track conditions could pre-
sent a disastrous situation, one that additional inspectors may help
to prevent.
NCW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Legislature,
with the support of Governor William P. Clements authorize and appro-
priate funds to provide the capability to inspect the railways of the
State of Texas.
P ED BY THE CITY COUNCIL CF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, this, the
YV
day of February, 1981.
- Mayor -