What looked to be one of the easier pieces of legislation to pass through the Texas government may have hit a tremendous road block.

One legislator's plan to rename a portion of Interstate 10 near El Paso after the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry (original story) is now being stalled in the Texas legislature after some people protested on the grounds that Roddenberry was "anti-Christian" and didn't care about the town he was born in.

Republican legislator Pat Haggerty first introduced the measure earlier this month, and watched as it sailed through the House Border and International Affairs Committee, according to the El Paso Times. It only was a lack of quorum that prevented the vote from taking it's place on the local and consent calendar that would've eventually moved it to the floor.

When Haggerty first presented the idea to some national fanfare, no one opposed the idea. However, as news started to pick up, some residents of El Paso began to protest.

"It's no longer a slam dunk," said Norma Chavez, the Democratic chairwoman of the Border Committee. "It's created a lot of interest, but some opposition is starting to his from El Paso."

Even the El Paso City Council is getting involved in the issue, putting it on its agenda for Tuesday. One councilmember already expressed opposition to the idea. Larry Medina said that while Roddenberry was born in El Paso, "he never did give a second thought to our great city."

According to the El Paso Times, some opponents said they are not sure what Roddenberry has done for El Paso to justify renaming a freeway. Henry Garcia of Clint, Texas, referred to Roddenberry as "anti-Christian" in e-mails to local and state officials.

"I don't know what kind of staffs you folks in the legislature have, but I can tell you that if this gets passed, it will create the biggest stir since Chagra had the judge killed," Garcia said. "I strongly suggest that you pull the bill from the state legislature or be the laughingstock of the nation."

Roddenberry was born in El Paso 81 years ago, however, he grew up in Los Angeles.

Fans aren't giving up on the effort to rename the highway. El Paso resident Terri Donawell has opened a Web site for the effort at www.grmhpetition.org. She told the El Paso Times that she isn't too concerned about the debate because it's part of democracy.

"We all can have our say in this country, as well as our views," Donawell said. "It is not up to me to judge or wonder about anybody's motivation for or against. I think it is a good way to tribute El Paso's most famous native son -- others have the same tribune in this city that did not even come from here. And if the tribute also brings in tourism, that's great."

Eugene W. Roddenberry, son of the late creator that Haggerty wants to name I-10 after, told Airlock Alpha that he can agree a lot with what dissenters have said about his father's contribution to El Paso, but that claims he was "anti-Christian" are inaccurate.

"The whole idea of Star Trek was to embrace all ideas, something that he preached religiously (on the show)," the younger Roddenberry said, who currently operates Roddenberry.com. "I don't want to take anything away from any other El Pasoan. My father had an idea that was universal, and promoted infinite diversities in infinite combinations. He didn't exclude any race, culture, or creed. My father would shake hands with a Christian, a Mohawk Indian, or even an Iraqi citizen without a moment's hesitation."

Roddenberry said that he supports the renaming of that portion of the interstate, not only because of personal bias, but also because he said he's a believer in the Star Trek philosophy.

"The show dealt with religion, but it never promoted religion," he said. "I think it promoted individual thought and universal acceptance.

"There are plenty of other El Pasoans that have done many great things. But here we're simply putting a name on that highway that symbolizes universal ideas."

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