Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 43

Introduced by Senator DeSaulnier

May 20, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 43—Relative to the Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Memorial Overcrossing.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 43, as introduced, DeSaulnier. Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Memorial Overcrossing.

This measure would designate a specified overcrossing on State Highway Route 680 in Contra Costa County as the Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Memorial Overcrossing. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of 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 (CHP) Officer Kenyon
Marc Youngstrom was born October 8, 1974, in Pasadena,
California; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom graduated from Arlington
High School in Riverside in 1993, and attended California Baptist
University in Riverside, as well as Napa Valley College, in Napa;
and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom, from a young age, recognized
the importance of public service, and was known as a hard worker
who always gave back to his community; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom served as a member of the
United States Army Reserve for six years, achieving the rank of
an E-4 Specialist; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom entered the CHP Academy
in August 2005 and graduated in February 2006 (badge number
18063), and was initially assigned to the Contra Costa area; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom, after serving nearly three
years in the Contra Costa area, voluntarily transferred to the Golden
Gate Division as a member of the Field Support Unit, where he
served as a distinguished member of the Protective Services Detail,
responsible for providing protection to various dignitaries, heads
of state, legislators, and other VIPs visiting the San Francisco Bay
Area; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom transferred back to the Contra
Costa area in August 2012 where he spent the remainder of his
career; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom performed several duties over
the course of his career, and because of his exceptional skills as
an officer, he served as a mentor and recruiter for new officers to
the CHP, as well as a RADAR and LIDAR instructor; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom, while assisting a fellow
officer on September 4, 2012, with an enforcement stop on State
Highway Route 680 (Interstate 680), was critically shot by the
driver of the stopped vehicle, and passed away the following day
at the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom, upon his death, gave the gift
of life through organ and tissue donation, helping to save the lives
of four individuals; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom was a man of family and faith,
and was a member of the Community Bible Church of Vallejo in
Vallejo; and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom is survived by his wife, Karen,
four children, Alexander, Madison, Andrew, and Kennedy, his
parents, Gaylord and Jill Youngstrom, four brothers, and a sister;
and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom, as a father, leaves behind a
legacy, instilled in his children, of a sense of respect and dignity;
and

WHEREAS, Officer Youngstrom is admired for his
professionalism, dedication, honesty, loyalty, respect, and courage;
now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the life, achievements, and distinguished
career of Officer Kenyon Marc Youngstrom, and his ultimate
sacrifice while performing honorable and faithful service to the
people of California as a CHP officer, are hereby recognized and
honored; and be it further

Resolved, That the State Highway Route 680 overcrossing over
Livorna Road in Contra Costa County is hereby designated as the
Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Memorial Overcrossing; and be it
further

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

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the
author for appropriate distribution.