Why name I-10 after Gene Roddenberry?

Who is El Pasoan’s Most Famous Native Son?

Gene Roddenberry, born April 19, 1921.

What makes him so famous?

He created "Star Trek", a series still going strong in its fourth decade, being translated into 30 languages in 80 countries (at last count). "Star Trek" was the first TV series to be preserved in the Smithsonian, and Gene was the first writer/producer to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There is an episode of "Star Trek" showing somewhere in the world at any given time of the day or night.

"So what?", you say.

Here’s what:

Gene is a decorated World War II veteran, volunteering for military service in the US Army Air Corps in 1941, during which service to his country he was a pilot, he flew 89 missions and sorties, and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

After leaving military service and becoming a civilian pilot, he was awarded a Civil Aeronautics Commendation for his actions under extreme conditions.

He later became a police officer, and rose to the rank of sergeant, again serving the people.

Gene served in many other ways throughout his life other than those already mentioned, including serving as a member of the Writers Guild Executive Council, serving as a Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Gene was also honored in many ways throughout his life other than those already mentioned, including three honorary doctorates, Doctor of Humane Letters from Emerson College, Doctor of Literature from Union College, and Doctor of Science from Clarkson College, and the Jack Benny Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement given by the March of Dimes.

"What else?", you ask.

Here’s more:

He had a vision of the future, one that still had conflicts but those conflicts were resolved as peacefully and logically as possible. His future turned a blind eye to such mundane things as race, creed, color, religion, and gender. His future existed in an era of tolerance, equality, freedom to believe without persecution, humanity, high ethics, and high morality. Technology was used almost always to help, and considered and reconsidered before being used against anyone. His vision of the future was always optimistic and full of possibilities - very different from the general view of the time. His future was full of acceptance of diversity and the value of life.

He used "Star Trek" as a vessel to show others this future.

For example, in the 1960s, he hit on "hot topics" that no one else wanted to touch:

"What about those weirdos, those Trekkies?", you ask.

Colonel Robert S. Buchanan, USAF, Commandant of the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California, who, in 1967, whose mission was to train experimental test pilots for the military service and train astronauts for NASA. He invited Gene and cast and crew to learn from Gene and to teach Gene.

• The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, in 1967, invited Gene to have an episode of the show placed in its archives.
• William Kuhns, writing in the February 23, 1968 Young Catholic Messenger (Teacher’s Edition) acknowledged Star Trek, referring to its uniqueness, its authentic scientific basis, the intriguing questions it raised.
• Whoopi Goldberg, an actress well known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, substance abuse, and the battle against AIDS, says: "Star Trek is something I wanted to do since I was a little girl. It was the first show that said, yes, there’s a future for black folks."
• Michael Anderson, a devout Christian, and Columbia astronaut, said that television shows like Star Trek and Lost in Space fueled his dreams of flying in space - an accomplishment he achieved, may he rest in peace.
• "Think of the imagination of this gentleman. We had not yet gone to the moon, but he was taking us to other universes." - Richard "Dick" Gordon, Gemini XI and Apollo XII Astronaut on 10/4/02
• "I think it's easier to be accepted as a football fan and a rock groupie because it takes a much lesser degree of intelligence for the mainstream audience to comprehend than Star Trek. - Gabriel Koerner, "Star Trek" fan on the difficulties of being accepted as a 'Trekkie'.
• "He was undeniably a part of our evolution into a space-faring society. Although he did not design any real spaceships, he was one of the people who turned imagination into reality, and whose vision inspired many." - Dave Garlick, KTSM Channel 9 El Paso NBC Affiliate Morning Anchor 10/4/02
• "Gene Roddenberry showed the world what it means to be tolerant in times of discrimination and racism." "Carrie" from Dachau, Germany
• "Texas is and always has been a place for pioneers and for the courageous. ~ El Paso should honor Mr. Roddenberry through this simple gesture, not because it promotes tourism, but because Mr. Roddenberry is one of the many sons and daughters of Texas who throughout history, have contributed something lasting not just to Texas, not just to the United States, but to humanity." "Diane" from San Antonio, Texas
• Even the son of the current owner of the building at 1907 E. Yandell, the site of the house where Gene was born, credits Star Trek for his interest in math and science - an interest that was there BEFORE he knew the significance of the address where his father’s business is.

"What would Gene think about all of this controversy over naming a highway after him?", you question.

He would have welcomed it.

• "Gene always said he was a learner, not a teacher, and he liked nothing better than to have someone disagree with him because as he said, 'Think of the avenues that become open to you that way.'" - Majel Barrett Roddenberry

"So, why name the highway after Gene?"

El Paso is a town that is many things. It is home to Fort Bliss and Biggs Army Air Field - and the soldiers that work there, and even give their lives in the service of their country. Gene served his country, willing to make that same sacrifice. There are two major highways already in town that honor our soldiers from all wars - the Patriot Freeway and the Purple Heart Freeway.

El Paso is a town of diversity, with many cultures. Gene embraced diversity and was always looking for ways to show that other cultures have many things to offer us, if we will just look, listen, and learn. There is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard as a tribute to this diversity, as well as the Cesar Chavez Highway.

El Paso is a town that courts Hollywood producers to make movies here. Gene was a member of that community. It is possible that naming the highway would make it easier to draw those movie dollars to this community.

El Paso is a town on the border of another country. Gene liked to show that there really are no borders; that we are all part of the human race.

Texas is home to the space program - a space program that, since the 1960s, has acknowledged Gene’s contributions to it. Naming the highway after Gene will acknowledge his part in the space program, and all the astronauts that have flown - and died, may they rest in peace - in exploring space, the final frontier.

"So, will there be any financial ramifications to doing this?", you ask.

Only positive ones. The Legislature has already studied the financial impact on the shrinking State budget. Any signage would come only when signs were due to be replaced.

Consider the following:

• All those that have responded have said they would come to drive on the highway and have their picture taken under a sign.
• While they are here, they expect to spend between $200 to $1,000.
• They plan to spend from two day to a week in El Paso.
• They want to visit the site where Gene was born (and will probably spend money in the flower shop there, increasing his business).
• They want to visit the Gene Roddenberry Planetarium, and are willing to spend up to $30 each to do so. There were over 6,000 people here last year in October. At $10 each, if only half had been able to visit the Planetarium, that would have increased the EPISD budget by $30,000. How important is that in a legislative year that is having to cut education budgets?
• They also want to visit the grave of John Wesley Hardin, Juarez, White Sands, Roswell, the NASA Space Museum, the El Paso Tramway, the Mission Trail, the Plaza Theatre, the Zoo, our professional sports teams, our college sports teams, the very large array, the Ft. Davis Observatory, Roswell, they want to go skiiing, drive Scenic Drive, watch Shakespeare in the McKelligon Canyon Theatre (the poll forgot Viva - oops), and visit area museums. Diverse interests, don’t you think?

THAT is why Gene!

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