SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 16

92^ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

4223L.01I

         Whereas, originally a joint effort by the Greater Kansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Area Development Council, and the Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City SmartPort was created as a nonprofit economic development organization in June of 2001 dedicated to building upon Kansas City's historic transportation hub status to make Kansas City a cutting edge, high-tech inland port; and

            Whereas, Kansas City is the second busiest rail hub in the United States and the largest air cargo hub in a six-state area, and is strategically located at the intersection of three major interstate highways - Interstate 29, Interstate 35, and Interstate 70, and on the nation's largest navigable inland waterway - the Missouri/Mississippi River System; and

            Whereas, the Kansas City area has abundant foreign trade zone space and a thriving transportation/logistics industry, with the local United States Customs Service office clearing over $9 billion worth of goods each year; and

            Whereas, the Kansas City area is also a vital link in the nation's freight transportation system, with an estimated 80 million tons of freight moving to and from the region each year, and approximately 50% of all eastbound intermodal freight entering the United States through West Coast ports passes through the Kansas City area; and

            Whereas, transportation has always been a central part of economic development and the strength of a region and Kansas City has the transportation strengths and infrastructure to meet the needs of manufacturers and distributors; and

            Whereas, SmartPort's initiatives to improve on these transportation strengths with new technologies will only increase the marketability of Kansas City to new investments; and

            Whereas, SmartPort will develop the resources to become part of the team for economic recruitment and will be brought into projects to provide transportation solutions to prospects looking at the Kansas City area; and

            Whereas, SmartPort is committed to working with various groups and the Federal Government to design and implement intelligent transportation systems to improve the security and efficiency of the transportation infrastructure; and

            Whereas, last year, SmartPort requested $5 million in funding under the Federal Transportation Reauthorization (SAFETEA) bill to further design and implement a system that would enhance the security and efficiency of international and domestic cargo shipped to, from, and through the Kansas City region:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-second General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the members of the Missouri Congressional Delegation to support funding for Kansas City SmartPort, Inc. to build upon Kansas City's historic transportation hub status to make Kansas City a cutting edge, high-tech inland port; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.