Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 44

Introduced by Senator DeSaulnier

May 20, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 44—Relative to the Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial Overcrossing.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 44, as introduced, DeSaulnier. Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial Overcrossing.

This measure would designate the Willow Avenue Overcrossing over State Highway Route 4 in Contra Costa County as the Joe Eddy McDonald 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, Joe Eddy McDonald was born March 6, 1945, in
Lewisville, Arkansas, to the late Jesse and Geraldine McDonald;
and

WHEREAS, The McDonald Family moved to Richmond,
California, in 1950; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald received his primary education
in the West Contra Costa Unified School District and graduated
from Richmond Union High School; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald enlisted in the United States
Navy for a two-year tour of duty; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald earned an associate of arts
degree in business administration from Contra Costa College and
completed professional development courses offered by Duke and
Harvard Universities; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald married his high school
sweetheart, Mary Ann Rollins, on October 9, 1966, and had two
beautiful daughters, Kimaree and Meiko; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was a passionate father,
committed to his family, which led to his future commitment as a
humble servant to his community; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald began working for the United
States Postal Service in 1966 as a letter carrier; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald worked his way through the
ranks, eventually becoming postmaster of the Cities of Rodeo and
Hercules and serving in that capacity for 19 years until his
retirement in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald lost his daughter Kimaree
McDonald and niece Tiffane Spencer in a tragic car accident in
October 1994; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald spearheaded a campaign to
widen and divide the two-lane stretch of State Highway Route 4
on the west side of the County of Contra Costa to keep others from
suffering the same tragic fate; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy and Mary Ann McDonald collected over
10,000 signatures on a petition to state lawmakers, made
presentations to government agencies, and organized a community
walk to the Hercules City Council; and

WHEREAS, The McDonald’s advocacy led to an $86 million
State Highway Route 4 widening project, which added two lanes;
and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served as president of the
Rodeo and Hercules Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served as Area II Director of
Chapter IV of the National Association of Postmasters of the
United States; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served as master of Monarch
Lodge No. 73 for the State of California; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was a founding member of
the Black America’s Political Action Committee, a member of the
Black American Cultural Association, and a charter member of
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,
Hercules chapter; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served on the Library Ad Hoc
Fundraising Committee and the City of Hercules Planning
Commission from December 2002 to November 2006, serving as
chairman the last two and one-half years; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Joe Eddy McDonald successfully
campaigned to serve on the Hercules City Council, serving as vice
mayor in 2008 and as mayor in 2009; and

WHEREAS, During Joe Eddy McDonald’s tenure on the
Hercules City Council, he was a dedicated and effective member
of many regional committees, including the Pinole/Hercules
Wastewater Management JPA, the West Contra Costa Integrated
Waste Management Authority JPA, the Contra Costa Mayors
Conference, and the Association of Bay Area Governments
Executive Board; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was responsible for the
approved agreement with the West Contra Costa Unified School
District to retain the music program in Hercules elementary schools
and with Contra Costa College to provide classes in the
redevelopment project area; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald is commended for his years
of service to the residents of Hercules; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald and his family were charter
members of the True Fellowship Baptist Church, where he served
as chairman of the Trustee Ministry under the leadership of
Reverend Robert K. Gordon; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald and his family later became
members at Valley Bible Church under the pastorage of Dr. Phillip
Howard; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, June 9, 2012, Joe Eddy McDonald’s
earthly journey was complete; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald led a life of extraordinary
courage and strength; and

WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald leaves his legacy of love to
his wife, Mary Ann McDonald, daughter Meiko McDonald,
granddaughter Kimaree McDonald Solomon, all of Hercules, four
brothers: John Wesley, Charles Edward (Aquila), Freddie Ray
(Evelyn), and Steven Paul McDonald (Mpheza), one sister, Yvonne
Marie McDonald, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other
relatives, and dear friends; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature honors the life,
achievements, and distinguished career of Joe Eddy McDonald
and recognizes Joe Eddy McDonald’s honorable and faithful
service to the people of Contra Costa County and the City of
Hercules, and hereby designates the Willow Avenue Overcrossing
over State Highway Route 4 in Contra Costa County as the Joe
Eddy McDonald 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 Director of Transportation and to the author
for appropriate distribution.