DALLAS -- State and local officials Tuesday paid tribute to longtime Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry as they unveiled new signs renaming the old Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike the Tom Landry Highway.

Landry's widow, Alicia, with her children and grandchildren watching, removed coverings from a green and white sign with a picture of Landry's signature fedora during a ceremony in downtown Dallas.

The renaming of the highway "is just splendid," Alicia Landry said. "The grandchildren are excited, the children are excited and I'm excited."

She said being a Texan is like being a member of a club, and that Landry was always proud to be a Texan.

The designation is for Interstate 30 between Interstate 35E in Dallas and Interstate 35W in Fort Worth.

State Sen. Chris Harris and state Rep. Tony Goolsby, authored bills to rename the 40-mile stretch of Interstate 30, and Gov. Rick Perry signed the act May 21, 2001.

The legislation required the Texas Department of Transportation to design and construct unique signs for I-30 indicating not only the highway number and designation as the Tom Landry Highway, but for a fedora on each marker.

Perry praised Landry as a man of unshakable faith who inspired others to goodness.

"He was more than a coach," Perry said. "He was a builder of character."

Harris and Goolsby also spoke of Landry's spiritual convictions. Goolsby said Landry used football to teach honor and integrity.

Landry died Feb. 13, 2000, at age 75 after fighting leukemia for nine months.

He was the Cowboys' head coach from its start in 1960. Over 29 years as coach of the Cowboys, Landry amassed 270 victories, five Super Bowl appearances and two championships. He was seldom seen without a hat.