Certain residents of El Paso, Texas, hope that soon every driver who passes through their city on the interstate will know that it is the hometown of Star Trek's creator, the late Gene Roddenberry.

A campaign to convince state lawmakers to declare Interstate 10 within the El Paso city limits the "Gene Roddenberry Memorial Highway" has been initiated by Terri Donawell, a certified legal assistant at a local law firm. She has launched a Web site to rally support from both local citizens and fans worldwide.

Donawell earlier was successful in convincing the El Paso City Council to proclaim every October 4th "Gene Roddenberry Day" in their town (related story). That date — the anniversary of mankind's first foray into space with Sputnik I — last year coincided with the dedication of a local planetarium in the Great Bird's name (related story).

"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,'" Donawell states on her site. "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."

In order to have the proposal considered in this year's legislative session, it must be introduced in March. So Donawell is asking those who would like to add their names to the petition to visit the site and sign the guestbook before March 1. You need not be a Texan to have your voice count, because a broad show of support from around the world would add weight to considering the highway designation a tourist attraction.

Roddenberry's son, Eugene W. Roddenberry Jr., has given his blessing to the effort in a letter posted on the site. "I hope this is something that will come to pass for two reasons," he writes. "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."

John Peterson, director of the aforementioned Gene Roddenberry Planetarium, also endorses the high-profile recognition of the native son. "There are a few times at rush hour when I might not view the 'Roddenberry Highway' in a positive light, but good or bad, it is on the news every day," Peterson remarked.

Roddenberry was born in El Paso on August 19, 1921, but as a boy his family moved to Los Angeles where he lived until his death in 1991. So it is perhaps symbolic that the westbound I-10 leads directly to L.A. and ends there.

Should the Texas state legislature approve this proposal? Take the debate to the floor of the Star Trek message boards!