BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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CONSENT
Bill No: SCR 52
Author: Vargas (D), et al.
Amended: 8/25/11
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMM : 7-0, 08/23/11
AYES: DeSaulnier, Gaines, Harman, Huff, Kehoe, Lowenthal,
Pavley
NO VOTE RECORDED: Rubio, Simitian
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
SUBJECT : Highway and rest area namings
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution names one highway rest area, two
segments of highway, and one interchange for Caltrans
Highway Maintenance Leadworker Jaime Obeso, Caltrans
Leadworker Gary Wayne Smith, and Caltrans Equipment
Operator II Richard Gonzalez.
ANALYSIS : The author introduced this legislation to
honor three Caltrans workers who lost their lives in the
line of duty. This resolution will also be a reminder to
motorists of the need to drive slowly and safely in areas
where highway workers are present.
Jaime Obeso . Jaime Obeso was born in El Centro and grew up
in Imperial, where he excelled in football and track during
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high school, holding records in the pole vault and 4x100
relay. Mr. Obeso's hobbies included working on air
conditioners and his new Jeep, fishing, finding a deal at
the swap meet, browsing eBay for the latest deals, and
spending time with his grandchildren and family. He was
known for making breakfast for his grandchildren every
Sunday morning. Mr. Obeso worked for H.E. Wiggins and Sons
for many years and later gained employment with Caltrans.
He was known as a hard working employee and received many
awards during his service with Caltrans. His last
promotion was as a Leadworker with the El Centro Travelway
Crew. On June 7, 2011, an errant motorist struck and
killed Mr. Obeso while he was working on a stretch of SR 8
near the Sunbeam Rest Area.
Gary Wayne Smith . Gary Wayne Smith was known as a
kind-natured individual who was never without a smile and
who helped many coworkers on the job. He began working for
Caltrans in 1978 and spent the majority of his career at
the Chico Maintenance Station, taking great pride in his
work. On November 14, 2010, a driver struck and killed Mr.
Smith while he was performing traffic control at the scene
of a fatal accident on SR 99 north of Chico.
Richard Gonzalez . Richard Gonzalez was an exemplary
employee whose passion outside of work was the restoration
of classic cars and serving as a mentor and role model to
his family and friends. He began working for Caltrans in
July 2008 and was assigned to the Special Programs Crew
based in Chula Vista near his home in San Ysidro. On June
20, 2011, the crew was picking up trash near the I-15/SR 94
interchange when a driver struck and killed Mr. Gonzalez.
This resolution designates each of the following
transportation facilities:
1.The Sunbeam Rest Area as the "Jaime Obeso Sunbeam Rest
Area" and one quarter mile of State Highway Route (SR) 8
on each side of the rest area in Imperial County as the
"Jaime Obeso Memorial Highway."
2.The portion of SR 99 from one mile north of its
intersection with Wilson Landing Road to Broyles Road in
Butte County as the "Caltrans Leadworker Gary Wayne Smith
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Memorial Highway."
3.The interchange between SR 5 and SR 905 in San Diego
County as the "Caltrans Equipment Operator II Richard
Gonzalez Memorial Highway."
The resolution further requests Caltrans to erect
appropriate signs only upon receiving donations from
non-state sources sufficient to cover the cost.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: Yes
JJA:nl 8/30/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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