VOTE HERE You can now register your vote in a bigger and better guestbook - one that won't cut you off in mid-word, so write down all your thoughts on why this legislation should be passed.
PLEASE WRITE THE LEGISLATORS DIRECTLY - THE BILL IS IN THE HOUSE’S BORDER AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, AND IN THE SENATE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND TRADE COMMITTEE, WHICH MEANS VOTES AND LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS FROM ANYONE ANYWHERE WILL COUNT!

I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!! LET'S SHOW THE LEGISLATORS THAT WE HAVE 10 TIMES 10,000 PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE GENE SHOULD BE HONORED IN THIS WAY!!!!!

BACKGROUND
On August 19, 1921, Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, known to billions world-wide as GENE RODDENBERRY, was born in El Paso, Texas, which is my home town. That was when and where this story began.

Recently, on October 4, 2002, the El Paso Independent School District dedicated its Planetarium to the late Gene Roddenberry, an action that was way overdue (and ten years in the making once it was proposed!). In  conjunction with the dedication, I proposed to Heidi Rout of KTSM TV Channel 9 (NBC affiliate in El Paso) that we get City Council to pass a Proclamation declaring October 4, 2002, and every October 4th hereafter "Gene Roddenberry Day". Heidi put me in touch with City Councilman Tony Cobos, who happens to be a Trekkie, and  we worked together, and the Proclamation came to be. Rod Roddenberry, Gene and Majel Barrett Roddenberry's son, attended the dedication of the Planetarium, and while in town, was able to see the property where his dad was born. City Councilman Tony Cobos has ensured its place in history by having a plaque erected at the site located at 1907 E. Yandell.

I have, as my next project, proposed legislation to have a portion of Interstate Highway 10, from the easternmost to the westernmost city limits of El Paso declared the "Gene Roddenberry Memorial Highway". I have dared anyone to name any other native-born El Pasoan that has either the name recognition or has accomplished what Gene has. To date, no one has risen to the challenge.

FAMILY SUPPORT
When I proposed this project to the Roddenberry family, Rod sent me the following reply:

Hey Terry,

Thanks for e-mailing me about this. I think it's a great idea! The Gene Roddenberry Memorial Highway sounds fantastic. I know what you are doing takes a lot of time and work and I appreciate your admiration and devotion to him and his philosophies. I hope this is something that will come to pass for 2 reasons. One I personally love to see public acknowledgement of his vision and how it's influenced humanity. The second reason sounds a bit corny but I want the audience and fans out there to know they have the power to do whatever they put their minds and COLLECTIVE support to. One fan has a strong influence . . . 10,000 can change not only television but public policy. Anyhow, that is my sermon for today . . . Sorry about that I tend to get a bit carried away. I wish you the best and offer you my full support. Good Luck!

So I started my campaign. The legislation was provided to all El Paso legislators . On February 13, 2003, Representative Pat Haggerty introduced House Bill 949! A history of my efforts is documented within this site, as is a copy of the legislation introduced by Representative Haggerty. And now I need everyone to write to ALL TEXAS LEGISLATORS and tell them what a great idea this is! And don't forget to write Representative Haggerty and say "Thank you!"