BILL NUMBER: SCR 119	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 3, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Fuller

                        MAY 12, 2014

   Relative to the CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial Interchange.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 119, as amended, Fuller. CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial
Interchange.
   This measure would designate the Interchange at State Route 99 and
 eastbound  State Route 58 in the County of  Kern,
  Kern  as the CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris
Memorial Interchange. The measure would request the Department of
Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate signs, that
shall include the star of the Department of the California Highway
Patrol, showing this special designation and, upon receiving
donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those
signs.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Officer Gerald Nathan Harris was born on November 19,
1938, to Sam and Juanita Harris, in the City of Bakersfield,
California, and had four siblings: Alan, JoAnn,  Melvin
  Melvin,  and Phillip; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris graduated from North High School in 1957,
and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter.
After several years of service, he was honorably discharged on
December 5, 1965; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris married the love of his life, Sherril, on
August 25, 1961, and had a wonderful daughter, Holly, born December
31, 1965, whom he treasured dearly; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris was a service salesman employed by Three
Way Chevrolet prior to becoming a California Highway Patrol Officer;
and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris graduated from the Department of the
California Highway Patrol Academy in 1967 with Academy Class
CTC-IV-67, and was assigned to the Santa Fe Springs Area, where he
served for approximately one year before being transferred to the
Bakersfield Area, where he spent the remainder of his career; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris, badge number 5554, was killed in the line
of duty on February 27, 1974, while directing traffic at an
intersection in the City of Bakersfield, where he was struck by a
hit-and-run driver; and
   WHEREAS, The impact of the collision left Officer Harris with a
broken leg and other injuries, which, at the time, did not appear to
be life threatening; and
   WHEREAS, When Officer Harris subsequently required special medical
treatment, the president of Continental Telephone in the City of
Bakersfield volunteered his company's medical plane to take him to a
hospital in San Francisco for special treatment, but Officer Harris,
unfortunately, died shortly thereafter from an embolism; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris is survived by his wife, Sherril, his
daughter, Holly, and two siblings, Alan and Melvin, and two
grandchildren, Tyler, born February 13, 1991, and Christian, born
June 9, 1994; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris was a hardworking, dedicated officer who
loved his job and enjoyed the people with whom he worked, and who,
throughout his career, received several letters commending him on his
exemplary service, including one from then Wasco Chief of Police,
Robert Duke, and several thank you letters from those whose lives he
saved or changed dramatically; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Harris was good natured, gracious, honest and
loyal, and would always go out of his way to help those in need. In
his spare time, he enjoyed weight lifting, the Police Olympics,
softball, volunteering to teach bicycle safety to children in
schools, and spending time with his family and friends; and
   WHEREAS, In recognition of Officer Harris's great contributions
and sacrifice in serving the Department of the California Highway
Patrol and the citizens of California, it would be fitting to
designate the Interchange at State Route 99 and  eastbound 
State Route 58 in the County of Kern, California, in his honor; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the
Interchange at State Route 99 and  eastbound  State Route 58
in the County of  Kern,   Kern  as the CHP
Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial Interchange; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to
determine the  costs   cost  of erecting
 the  appropriate signs, that shall include the star
of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, consistent with
the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing
 these   this  special 
designations, and   designation and,  upon
receiving donations from nonstate sources covering 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.