BILL ANALYSIS Ó
Bill No: SCR
95
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Lou Correa, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
SCR 95 Author: Steinberg
As Introduced: March 6, 2014
Hearing Date: March 25, 2014
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
Kirk Breed Memorial Race Track
DESCRIPTION
SCR 95 provides that the race track located on the grounds
of the California Exposition and State Fair (Cal Expo),
located in the City of Sacramento, be named the "Kirk Breed
Memorial Race Track." Additionally, this measure requests
the Cal Expo Board of Directors, upon receiving non-state
and non-Cal Expo funds, to place an appropriate memorial
plaque marking this special designation.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law provides for Cal Expo, an independent state
agency, governed by an 11-member Board of Directors with
daily operations managed by a chief executive officer
selected by the board. Nine directors are appointed by the
Governor with the consent of the Senate and one director
each is appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and the
Senate Committee on Rules.
BACKGROUND
Kirk Eldridge Breed (November 16, 1939 - August 7, 2013);
the last "Great American Cowboy. " The author of SCR 95
notes that Kirk Breed was born in Choctaw, Oklahoma where
he went to grade school and junior high. Kirk was born
into a ranching family that made a living off of
agriculture yet suffered greatly during the Dust Bowl. The
SCR 95 (Steinberg) continued
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family was also passionate about racehorses, show horses
and ranch horses. Kirk's dad wanted him to be a split-T
quarterback at the University of Oklahoma but instead he
ended up receiving a scholarship to play football and
basketball at rival Oklahoma State. As a defensive end at
Oklahoma State Kirk played against some of the great
college teams of that era (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska,
Texas and Army) including future pro football Hall of Fame
inductee Gayle Sayers. (Kirk, laughingly, would often
mention how he personally held the great Gayle Sayers to
only 258 rushing yards in one game.)
Kirkie's lifelong career of public service began in 1963
when he was selected to the first class of President John
F. Kennedy's Peace Corps, serving four years in the
Republic of Columbia, before being appointed Director of
the Peace Corps in the Republic of Chile for five years.
In 1972, Sergeant Shriver, the first Director of the Peace
Corps, called Kirk informing him he was going to be on the
McGovern ticket as Vice-President and asked for his help in
Oklahoma - Kirk's response was to walk across the state of
Oklahoma (555 miles in 40 days), convinced that
McGovern/Shriver would prevail.
In 1979, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. appointed Kirk Breed
General Manager of Cal Expo. Under Kirk's leadership (from
1979-1985) the State Fair grew into one of the nation's
premier agricultural events. Kirk continued his state
service as a committee consultant to the Assembly Committee
on Governmental Organization where he was instrumental in
drafting significant legislation relating to racetrack
safety, jockey and animal protection, and simulcast
wagering. In February of 2008, Kirk was appointed
executive director of the California Horse Racing Board
(CHRB) and served in that capacity until his death August
7, 2013, following a long battle with cancer. Kirk was a
precious asset to the CHRB and displayed exemplary
leadership. While serving at the CHRB he inspired many in
the horse racing industry through his efforts to improve
the health and safety of racehorses throughout the State of
California.
The author of SCR 95 notes that Kirk Breed demonstrated a
lifelong passion for horses and the cowboy culture of the
American West throughout his life, producing the America's
Wild West Show, lobbying on behalf of interests such as the
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Page 3
Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association and Ray
Cammack Carnival Shows, and leading annual trail rides with
the Flying Cowboys and Sonoma Trail Blazers for over 25
years. "May his memory be eternal."
Staff Comments: "Happy Trails To You, Our Friend."
The author's office notes that this memorial effort will
not affect future land use decisions by the Directors of
Cal Expo, nor will it require expenditure of state funds or
Cal Expo funds.
Cal Expo Track Facts: The Cal Expo track is a one mile
dirt track, which first opened in 1971, with a grandstand
capacity of approximately 6,200 seats and a Turf Club
capacity of about 634 seats. Cal Expo hosts harness racing
from January to late June and from October thru December.
Additionally, thoroughbreds, quarter horse and Arabian
horse racing is held on the race track during the State
Fair meet in July.
SUPPORT: As of March 21, 2014:
Mary Ann Breed (wife of Kirk Breed)
Cloe Breed (daughter of Kirk Breed)
California Teamsters Public Affairs Council
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Jockeys' Guild
Oak Tree Racing Association
Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association
OPPOSE: None on file as of March 21, 2014.
FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee