Journal of the House of Representatives of the Regular Session of the Sixty-First Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 1 Page: 77
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have been added and more are in accidents, we have taken a number
process of being acquired. of important steps.-Creation of Padre Island Nation-
al Seashore, to serve unborn genera-
tions, has become a reality during
this administration.
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
The rush of the transition of Texas
from a rural to an urban state ac-
celerated during the 1960's. In 1959,
just over 62 percent of our citizens
lived in urban areas. Now that figure
is up to 80 percent.
I recommended to the Legislature
in 1963 that the state embark im-
mediately on a vigorous industrial de-
velopment program to provide more
jobs for our growing population as
the rural opportunities diminished.
At that time, the state had a total
of 488,250 persons employed in man-
ufacturing. The Texas Industrial
Commission, given new support by
the Legislature, set a goal of 802,250
persons employed in manufacturing
by 1977.
-At the end of 1968, we already
had 708,600 employed in manufactur-
ing-or 88 percent of the goal com-
pleted.
-At the present rate of growth,
we expect to reach the goal set for
1977 during March, 1971, or six years
and five months ahead of schedule.
-During 1968 alone, a total of
52,900 new jobs was created through
expansions and new industries. The
average increase over the previous,
five years had been 36,735 per year.
-Total new plants and major ex-
pansion in Texas during 1968 came
to 735, compared to 666 a year ago.
HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
SAFETY
Despite rising costs, Texas has
continued to build better highways
for less money than any other state
in the nation. Our portion of the new
3,158 mile interstate system is now
two-thirds complete-2,005 miles open
to traffic, and another 440 miles
under construction.
To help advance highway safety
and to combat the tragic deaths, suf-
fering and economic loss of traffic-We implemented a statewide pro-
gram to make driver education avail-
able to all students.
-We provided stiffer penalties for
driving without a license.
-And we tightened provisions of
the license law to hopefully produce
more responsible drivers.
At the same time, we have expand-
ed the highway patrol by 37 percent
and have provided increased income
for members of that important force.
MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL
RETARDATION
A major study of needs for the
mentally ill and mentally retarded
conducted during the first two years
of this administration resulted in
sweeping recommendations which the
59th Legislature passed into law.
-The Texas Department of Men-
tal Health and Mental Retardation
was created.
-Administration of tuberculosis
hospitals was transferred to the State
Health Department.
-Local participation in mental
health and mental retardation pro-
grams was made possible, and we
now have 26 active community boards
of trustees.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS
The past six years have seen a me-
teoric increase in the importance of
harmonious working relationships be-
tween the federal, state and local
levels of government. I am proud that
our relations now with the federal
establishment and with local and re-
gional units of governments stand at
an all-time high level of cooperation.
The task has not been an easy one.
I have been particularly vocal, as you
know, in calling for a plan of "bloc
grants" to the states which would
make lump sums available to the
states, rather than require us to sub-
mit applications, project by project.
I am pleased to report to you that
the new Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act was enacted in this
way, and we already have begun the
implementation of this Act in Texas.January 15, 1969
77
HOUSE JOURNAL
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Texas. Legislature. House of Representatives. Journal of the House of Representatives of the Regular Session of the Sixty-First Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 1, legislative document, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth193877/m1/81/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.