ACR 8, Wood. Jesse D. Pittman SO1 Navy SEAL Memorial Bridge.
This measure would designate a specified bridge located on the Highway 101 Willits Bypass in the County of Mendocino as the Jesse D. Pittman SO1 Navy SEAL Memorial Bridge. The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.
WHEREAS, Jesse D. Pittman was born in Arcata, California and raised in the town of Willits, California. After graduating from Willits High School in 2002, Jesse spent two seasons as a wild land firefighter with CAL-FIRE before he joined the United States Navy in 2005 to become a SEAL commando. Jesse was as renowned for his practical jokes as he was for his bravery and discipline. As a Navy SEAL, Jesse went on missions both dangerous and top secret; and
WHEREAS, Jesse, who spent most of his life in the town of Willits in the County of Mendocino, died August 6, 2011, in Taliban territory when the Chinook helicopter that carried him and 30 other American troops was shot down. It was the deadliest incident for United States Armed Forces since the war in Afghanistan began a decade ago. He was 27 years of age when he died, a Navy petty officer first class and a member of the San Diego-based SEAL Team 5, where he was affectionately known as “Pitt”; and
WHEREAS, Wise beyond his years, Jesse did the things he loved the best and chose careers that demanded skill and physical excellence. Jesse had a saying among his Navy SEAL teammates, “I don’t run, I charge,” which is exactly how he lived his life. He embodied the Navy SEAL creed that SEALs are common men with an uncommon desire to succeed; and
WHEREAS, Jesse was highly decorated by the United States Navy. He received all of the following awards: the Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (2), the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Rifle Marksmanship Medal, the Pistol Marksmanship Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star with Valor; and
WHEREAS, Jesse was laid to rest on August 30, 2011, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. He is survived by his parents, J. Pittman, Sr. and Ida Pittman, and his brothers, J. Pittman, Jr. and Corey Pittman; and
WHEREAS, Designating Bridge No. 10-0165, the mile-long viaduct still under construction, on the Highway 101 Willits Bypass project in the County of Mendocino as the Jesse D. Pittman SO1 Navy SEAL Memorial Bridge would be an appropriate honor for a local American hero; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates Bridge No. 10-0165, located on the Highway 101 Willits Bypass in the County of Mendocino as the Jesse D. Pittman SO1 Navy SEAL Memorial Bridge; and be it further
Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of erecting appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.
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