California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3

Introduced by Assembly Member Logue

January 14, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3—Relative to the CHP Officer Robert James Quirk Memorial Highway.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 3, as introduced, Logue. The CHP Officer Robert James Quirk Memorial Highway.

This measure would designate a portion of State Highway Route 5, in the County of Tehama, as the California Highway Patrol Officer Robert James Quirk Memorial Highway. The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal committee: yes.

WHEREAS, California Highway Patrol Officer Robert James
Quirk was born on January 24, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, and was
the beloved and youngest child of Michael Quirk and Anna Lahic;
and

WHEREAS, Officer Quirk enlisted in the United States Navy
in January 1942 and completed Naval Aviator Training; and

WHEREAS, Officer Quirk was commissioned as a Lieutenant
Junior Grade and saw action on the Philippine Islands while serving
as a squadron commander of B-24 bombers and flew multiple
bombing raids during the battle of Kwajalein; and

WHEREAS, Officer Quirk was recognized for his many
achievements and, in 1947, was honorably discharged from the
Navy; and

WHEREAS, In 1951, Officer Quirk moved to San Diego,
California, and began working at Consolidated Aircraft Company;
and

WHEREAS, In 1954, Officer Quirk was hired by the CHP and
assigned to the Compton CHP Office where he worked from 1955
until 1963; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, Officer Quirk was transferred to the Red
Bluff CHP Office where he served until his untimely death in 1971;
and

WHEREAS, On April 11, 1971, after being involved in a foot
pursuit, during which time he singlehandedly caught three suspects,
Officer Quirk suffered a fatal heart attack; and

WHEREAS, Officer Quirk’s death was a direct result of his
honorable service to the people of the State of California, but was
not recognized as such for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Officer Quirk left a wife, Patricia, and five children,
Michael, Sheila, Dan, Phil, and Ken, to cherish his memory and
celebrate his legacy; and

WHEREAS, Following in his father’s footsteps is his son,
Sergeant Ken Quirk of the Storey County Nevada Sheriff’s
Department, who demonstrates the highest standards of law
enforcement while carrying his father’s handcuffs and wearing his
father’s brass belt buckle; and

WHEREAS, In honor of Officer Quirk’s service and sacrifice,
it would be a fitting tribute to designate a portion of State Highway
Route 5, in the County of Tehama, as the California Highway
Patrol Officer Robert James Quirk Memorial Highway; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates a
portion of State Highway Route 5, in the County of Tehama, as
the California Highway Patrol Officer Robert James Quirk
Memorial Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested
to determine the cost of erecting the appropriate signs, consistent
with the signing requirements for the state highway system,
showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations
from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the
author for appropriate distribution.