George Strait is featured in a public service announcement for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Don’t Mess with Texas campaign. The PSA is includes a fast-talking Hollywood-style producer pitching TV commercial props. Strait, who volunteered his time for the shoot, dismisses a bedazzled, gawdy Don’t Mess with Texas jacket, bright red Don’t Mess with Texas boots, and a miniature horse with a Don’t Mess with Texas sparkling blanket. In the end, the King of Country stands up, throws the script into a familiar red, white, and blue trash can and simply says, “I’ve got this. Don’t Mess with Texas means don’t litter.”
“Ironically, some of the most prideful Texans are also some of the worst litterers, according to new research,” said TxDOT Travel Information Division Director Doris Howdeshell. “If you love Texas so much, why in the world would you throw trash on it? When George Strait reminds people ‘Don’t Mess with Texas means don’t litter,’ we think they’ll listen. After all, he epitomizes Texas pride.”
Stevie Ray Vaughan appeared in the first Don’t Mess with Texas PSA in 1986. The campaign was conceived by TxDOT to keep down skyrocketing litter pickup costs and has since become a part of pop culture. In 2006, Don’t Mess with Texas was voted “America’s Favorite Slogan,” beating out JUST DO IT, Got Milk?, and Have it your way.
TxDOT’s litter prevention program includes Adopt-a-Highway and a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful. Don’t Mess with Texas activities also include a spring “Trash-Off,” community outreach, a scholarship, and a corporate partner program. For more information, visit http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org. TxDOT’s goals are to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of transportation assets. For more information, visit http://www.txdot.gov.
source: Texas Department of Transportation
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