OPEN HOUSE--CRABB RIVER ROAD WIDENING

VETERANS DAY

This is a speech I will give on Veterans Day at my children's school.

THANK YOU MRS. MOORE, FATHER BILL AND OUR VETERANS FOR HONORING ME WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS MOST SOLEMN OF OCCASIONS.

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO REMEMBER OUR VETERANS ON VETERANS DAY.

THIS DAY BEGAN IN 1918 AS ARMISTICE DAY WHERE ON THE 11TH HOUR OF THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH, PEACE WAS SECURED IN WORLD WAR I. AND JUST LIKE 81 YEARS AGO, TODAY AMERICANS WILL REFLECT ON THIS DAY AND REMEMBER FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO FOUGHT IN THE PAST, THOSE THAT ARE FIGHTING TODAY, AND THOSE THAT WILL NEVER RETURN HOME FROM THE FIELD OF BATTLE.

ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM, INDEED EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD LIVE IN PEACE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICE THAT OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, MARINES, AND COAST GUARDMEN HAVE MADE.

WHEN WE THINK OF THE FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY IN THIS COUNTRY WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS. A THANK YOU TO A VETERAN THAT YOU KNOW OR SEE ON THE STREET IS A THANK YOU TO THESE MEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR SERVICE AND TO THE MORE THAN 1 MILLION VETERANS THAT HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFCE AND WHO’S DEBT WE CAN NEVER REPAY. YOU SEE, LIKE THE SONG SAYS, “FREEDOM ISN’T FREE.”

BUT EACH OF US CAN HONOR OUR VETERANS BY TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF TIME OUT OF OUR BUZY SCHEDULES TO SAY, “THANK YOU” TO THEM FOR THEIR SACRIFICE.

WHEN WE MEET AND ASSEMBLE TO QUESTION AND CRITICIZE THE POLICIES OF OUR PRESIDENT, OUR CONGRESS, OUR GOVERNOR AND EVEN OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, WE CAN THANK THE VETERANS THAT STORMED THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY AND GUADALCANAL AND TURNED THE TIDE OF A WAR OF AGRESSION STARTED BY MADMEN WHO WOULD CRUSH ALL OPPOSITION. WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS FOR PRESERVING OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

WHEN WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AS CATHOLICS, OR KNEAL ON OUR PRAYER RUGS AS MUSLIMS, OR PLACE THE STAR OF DAVID ON OUR DOOR FRAMES AS JEWS, WE CAN THANK THE VETERANS THAT SERVED IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS OF KOREA AND THE HUMID JUNGLES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA AGAINST ENEMIES WHO OUTLAWED ALL RELIGIONS. WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS FOR PRESERVING OUR FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD IN THE WAY EACH OF US CHOOSES.
WHEN WE SIT DOWN AT NIGHT WITH OUR FAMILIES AND ENJOY OUR MEALS AT THE KITCHEN TABLE WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS THAT PATIENTLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY WITH A STEEL RESOLVE IN A COLD WAR THAT LASTED 50 YEARS AGAINST AN ENEMY WHOSE PEOPLE WERE DEPRIVED OF THE MOST BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE. WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS FOR THE FREEDOM FROM WANT AND DEPRIVATION.

AND FINALLY WHEN WE GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS THAT HAVE FOUGHT SO BRAVELY IN IRAQ AND AFGANISTAN AGAINST RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST WHO USE FEAR AS A WEAPON.

WE CAN THANK OUR VETERANS FOR FIGHTING SO BRAVELY AND WITHOUT FEAR SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE FREEDOM FROM FEAR AT HOME.

WE ALL ARE HERE TODAY TO REDEDICATE THIS DAY TO OUR VETERANS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE SACRIFICES YOU HAVE MADE. KNOW WE CAN NEVER REPAY OUR DEBT TO EACH OF YOU. BUT WE ARE HERE TODAY TO DO THE LEAST WE CAN DO, TO SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM.

GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

NO MORE RUBBER CHICKEN

One of the things that I enjoy the least is having to attend various lunch events where rubber chicken is served and a speaker is heard. It's probably least enjoyable for me because the speaker invariably attacks democrats (of which I am one) and trial lawyers (my previous job). I realize that the people that invite me to these lunches are trying to be nice since I am the new commissioner, but I can only stand so much criticism with a smile on my face.

So, it appears that the Texas Ethics Commission has baled me out. They issued Advisory Opinion No. 484. This opinion mercifully states that an elected official cannot accept transportation, meals, or lodging from corporations or unions if the public official is there because he is a public official.

Its a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I'll loose weight and be in a much better mood. And I'll have more time to get the people of Fort Bend County's business done.

LOCAL OPTION FOR THE GRAND PARKWAY

On March 25, 2009 Fort Bend County agreed to waive the market valuation. I voted against the waiver, but lost the vote 3-2. Under Senate Bill 792, any county that votes to waive has until September 25, 2009 to exercise the local option on the Grand Parkway. What is the "local option", you ask?

The local option essentially means that the local entity (Fort Bend County in this case) gets to develop the project itself. The County now has two years from the date that the environmental is completed to enter a contract for the construction (design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, etc.) of the project. If such a contract is executed then the project remains in control of the local entity.

If Fort Bend did not exercise the local option then the option to develop the Grand Parkway goes to TxDOT and would likely result in the County completely losing control of the project. TxDOT would probably execute a Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) with a private company and the County would have no say so or input.

I believe that voting for the local option gives the County as much control over the Grand Parkway as we can get. That's why I voted for the local option.

PRECINCT 1 TO GET STIMULUS FOR TRANSPORTATION

Here is a list (see p. 4) of stimulus projects in Precinct 1 added by TxDOT last week. FM 2218 and 1640 are on the list as well as US 59 at FM 360. These were added because the projects letting were coming in under budget. This is great news for Richmond, Rosenberg and west Fort Bend County.

Barbar Jordan Park in Needville

The County has leased the Barbara Jordan Park in Needville for 4 years at a cost of $1/year. We have been negotiating with the park for a few months now and are happy to have finally reached a deal. I think this park is one of the best in the County.

CRABB RIVER ROAD, FM 762 and the new GEORGE RANCH HIGH SCHOOL

I am seeking the support of my neighbors in Greatwood, Tara, Canyon Gate, Bridlewood Estates, Brazos Lakes and Brazos Gardens to widen Crabb River Road and FM 762 as it passes by the new high school. The project is more fully described below:

FM 2759 (Crabb River Road) will be widened from and existing 3-lane open ditch to a 4-lane divided curb and gutter from US 59 continuing 3.4 miles through the intersection of FM 762 terminating 500 feet south of the new LCISD high school/middle school site and secondary school complex. This continuous 4-lane facility will pass through the city limits of Rosenberg and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Sugar Land and the City of Thompsons.

The project includes these additional improvements:

· Constructing a four-lane depressed section of through lanes, including on/off ramps along FM 2759 at Sansbury Blvd (Sansbury will remain at-grade) and
· Constructing a grade separation at FM 2759 and FM 762 over the BNSF Railroad with turning lanes.

I know each of you is already aware of the traffic backup on Crabb River Road and of the severe traffic problem that will be created along FM 762 when the George Ranch High School complex opens next year. I believe this project will solve both of these issues as well as afford additional safety to the traveling public by eliminating the at-grade crossing of the BNSF line.

The County seeks funding for this project under a new competitive federal grant called a TIGER Grant. I have already requested a STIP revision. in accordance with HGAC’s guidelines under the TIGER Grant Program, A draft Environmental Assessment will be submitted to TxDOT for review and forwarded to FHWA in January 2010. I anticipate receiving a FONSI by May 2011. If approved, I believe construction will be completed by December 2012 at a total project cost between $70 and $80 million.

Because Fort Bend County will be competing with 1000’s of applications from around the United States, I am trying to make our application as appealing as possible by funding 20% or $14 to $16 million of the project cost. We have a commitment from TxDOT to use a $7 million credit from the previous work completed at US 59 overpass at SH 99 for utilities and right of way costs associated with this project. Sugar Land and Rosenberg have also indicated a willingness to help fund this project. I have requested a donation from the George Foundation of the right of way required for the southern portion of the project along FM 762. All in all, I think we are well on our way to sewing up our 20% share.

One of the requirements of the TIGER Grant application is to submit as many resolutions and letters of support from local and state governments, as well as non-profits, community organizations and individuals as possible. I have received the support of the local state offices of TxDOT, as well as the City of Sugar Land and the City of Thompsons. I am requesting your support. This item will be placed on the August 25, 2009 Agenda of Commissioner’s Court. Please show up at the Travis Building (301 Jackson St., 7th Floor, Richmond, Texas) at 12:45 pm to sign up and speak on its behalf or call Judge Hebert’s Office at 281-341-8634 and let him know you support this project.
I made this project a priority in my election campaign and I once again ask your support to make it a reality. I eagerly await your support, and appreciate your consideration of this request.

Email me your questions and/or comments at:

richard.morrison@co.fort-bend.tx.us

Call my office at:

281-344-9400