BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: SCR 13
SENATOR MARK DESAULNIER, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: Nielsen
VERSION: 4/1/13
Analysis by: Erin Riches FISCAL: yes
Hearing date: April 2, 2013
SUBJECT:
Redding Police Officer Owen "Ted" Lyon Memorial Bridge
DESCRIPTION:
This resolution names the Sacramento River Bridge in Redding as
the Redding Police Officer Owen "Ted" Lyon Memorial Bridge.
ANALYSIS:
In previous sessions, the committee has adopted a policy
regarding the naming of state highways or structures. Adoption
of this policy for the 2013-14 session is also on the
committee's agenda today. Under the policy, the committee will
consider only those resolutions that meet all of the following
criteria:
The person being honored must have provided
extraordinary public service or some exemplary contribution
to the public good and have a connection to the community
where the highway or structure is located.
The person being honored must be deceased.
The naming must be done without cost to the state.
Costs for signs and plaques must be paid by local or
private sources.
The author or co-author of the resolution must represent
the district in which the facility is located and the
resolution must identify the specific highway segment or
structure being named.
The segment of highway being named must not exceed five
miles in length.
SCR 13 (NIELSEN) Page 2
The proposed designation must reflect a community
consensus and be without local opposition.
The proposed designation may not supersede and existing
designation unless the sponsor can document that a good
faith effort has uncovered no opposition to rescinding the
prior designation.
This resolution designates the Sacramento River Bridge, located
on State Highway Route 273 as it crosses the Sacramento River
into downtown in the City of Redding, as the Redding Police
Officer Owen "Ted" Lyon Memorial Bridge. The resolution further
requests that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate
signs upon receiving donations from non-state sources to cover
the costs.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . The author introduced this resolution to honor the
life and service of Redding Police Officer Owen "Ted" Lyon.
2.Background on Redding Police Officer Owen "Ted" Lyon . Owen
"Ted" Lyon was born in 1931 in Socorro, New Mexico. After
graduating from Red Bluff High School, he attended junior
college to study electrical engineering. Mr. Lyon worked for
the Paul Bunyan Lumber Company in Anderson, California from
April 1957 until September 1961, when he joined the Redding
Police Department.
Officer Lyon died in the line of duty on May 18, 1967. He and
his partner had responded to a call relating to a domestic
violence incident involving a gun. As the officers approached
the house, Officer Lyon was shot in the abdomen by the
suspect. His partner, who was also wounded, drove him to the
Redding Medical Center, where Officer Lyon died approximately
24 hours later.
Officer Lyon was survived by his widow, Joanne Gifford; his
mother, Alice Lyon; his daughter, Tina Combs; his two
stepsons, John and Jim Hunt; his three brothers, Herbert,
Terry, and Jerry Lyon; his sister, Roena Callison; and his
nephew, Curtis Lyon.
3.Consistent with committee's historic policy . This resolution
is consistent with all of the provisions of the committee's
policy on highway designations, which is on the agenda today
SCR 13 (NIELSEN) Page 3
for the committee to consider adopting for the 2013-14
legislative session.
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday, March 27,
2013.)
SUPPORT: City of Redding (sponsor)
City of Redding Police Department (sponsor)
California Police Chiefs Association
California Narcotic Officers Association
OPPOSED: None received.