UPDATE: The "noncontroversial" issue of renaming a highway in El Paso after Gene Roddenberry (see below) has proven to be controversial after all. Opposition has sprung up leading the El Paso city council to refuse to endorse the legislation presented to committee in the state capital until more discussion can be held. Thus, House Bill 949 will not be placed on the legislative calendar in Austin this year. However, supporters intend to bring the issue back next session. The latest information about this effort can be found at this El Paso Times news article and at the Support the Gene Roddenberry Memorial Highway site. Original story dated 04.16.03:
How often does the phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" get spoken during a legislative session in a state capital? That's exactly what happened yesterday in Austin, Texas, when a bill was presented in committee to formally name a stretch of highway in El Paso after Gene Roddenberry, the passage of which seems increasingly likely.
According to the El Paso Times, the idea was unopposed when House Bill 949 — to name Interstate 10 in El Paso the "Gene Roddenberry Star Trek Memorial Highway" — was considered by the House Border and International Affairs committee. In fact, legislators have received a flood of support for the bill via e-mails to the Texas Capitol.
"That response could result in Trekkies actually visiting El Paso to know the birthplace of the mastermind of Star Trek," argued committee head Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso. The committee is expected to vote today to recommend full House approval of the legislation, in part because it is "noncontroversial," the newspaper says.
"It's going to cost the highway department a couple of signs," said Pat Haggerty, the El Paso Republican who introduced the bill.
The article appeared today as the top headline on the front page of the second section of the newspaper, but it is also posted at El Paso Times Online. Another story titled "Trekkies like Haggerty's I-10 bill" was published on Monday.
The petition to rename the highway after the creator of Star Trek was initiated by local legal assistant Terri Donawell (related story), who is rallying support from around the world through her Support the Gene Roddenberry Memorial Highway Web site. The site is currently running a poll to address some of the questions legislators have, and the results will be supplied to the appropriate committees in Austin.
Roddenberry was born in El Paso in 1921. The native son has also been recognized locally by the dedication of the Gene Roddenberry Planetarium (related story).
In the committee session yesterday, members had only one question for Haggerty. "What about, 'Beam me up, Scotty'?" asked Rep. Tommy Merritt of Longview. Haggerty answered, "I think that usually happens in Longview. That's where most of the UFOs are spotted."
What do you think about this proposal? Discuss it at the Star Trek message boards!
