Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 53

RESOLUTION CHAPTER 134

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 53—Relative to the Richard “Dick” Dickerson Memorial Highway.

[Filed with Secretary of State August 11, 2015.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 53, Dahle. Richard “Dick” Dickerson Memorial Highway.

This measure would designate a portion of State Highway Route 44 in the City of Redding as the Richard “Dick” Dickerson Memorial Highway. 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.

WHEREAS, Richard “Dick” Dickerson had an exemplary career in law enforcement and as a government leader with service both in the California State Assembly and the Redding City Council; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson served in the Assembly from 1998 to 2002, inclusive, representing the 2nd Assembly District, which included the northern California Counties of Colusa, Glenn, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and parts of the Counties of Butte and Yolo. As a result of redistricting, the County of Shasta, which includes the City of Redding, is now in the 1st Assembly District; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson, a former 30-year law enforcement officer, brought commonsense experience to the office and became a voice for crime victims during his first term as vice chair of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson served as vice chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife during both of his terms in the Assembly. In negotiations with the Governor during his first term, Dick Dickerson secured $20 million to complete studies on aboveground water storage as a major concession for the legislative passage of water bond legislation; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson was a staunch supporter of the proposed Sites Reservoir in Colusa County and raised awareness among the Members of the Legislature that additional storage was needed to meet the water supply needs of a growing state. Along with the Northern California Water Association, he successfully pushed forward the audit of California’s land acquisition policies; and

WHEREAS, While in the Assembly, Dick Dickerson retained a seat on the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and authored legislation to remove vegetation that had become hazardous fuel so it could be used as energy-producing biomass; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the Assembly Committee on Budget specializing in the resources area, Dick Dickerson obtained $4.58 million for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, known at the time as the Department of Corrections, to pay for the reactivation of fire crews composed of nonviolent inmates from 17 conservation camps throughout California. These inmates were utilized for assistance with fighting fires, emergency flood work, and environmental restoration, with seven of the camps located in northern California and five located within Assembly Member Dickerson’s district; and

WHEREAS, During his time in the Assembly, Dick Dickerson sat on more committees than any other Republican member. His committee assignments throughout his term in office included chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, vice chair of the Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, and member of the Committees on Natural Resources, Public Safety, Budget, Governmental Organization, Insurance, Health, and Energy Costs and Availability; and

WHEREAS, In the wake of the September 11, 2001, tragedy, Dick Dickerson was appointed to the Task Force on Terrorism; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson served on nine select committees, including CALFED, Juvenile Justice, Air and Water Quality, California Indian Nations, California Wine, Protection of Inland Waterways, Rural Economic Development, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Gun Violence; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson authored 20 bills that were enacted during his time in the Assembly. During the 2001 legislative year, he had seven bills signed into law by Governor Gray Davis, including legislation to increase the presence of deputies and firefighters on our streets and in our communities, to enhance the protection of children from molesters, and to provide assistance for olive growers in their battle against the olive fruit fly. Legislation authored by Dick Dickerson also established a rice industry certification system that allowed California farmers to compete globally. Also through legislation authored by Dick Dickerson, local transportation dollars were returned to counties that incurred savings on their construction projects; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson was an effective negotiator in the 2001 budget discussions, securing $8 million for the economic recovery in the Klamath Basin, a permanent sales tax exemption on agriculture and forestry equipment and parts, a permanent tax exemption on propane and agricultural diesel, $500,000 of ongoing funding for rural county sheriff’s departments, $70 million on tax relief for senior citizens, and $40 million in school equalization funding; and

WHEREAS, The numerous awards and commendations Dick Dickerson received throughout his tenure in the Assembly attest to his stellar record of public service, including Awards of Appreciation from the Far West Equipment Dealers Association, Klamath Water Users Association, and Rice Producers of California; and

WHEREAS, After serving in the Assembly, Dick Dickerson served on the Redding City Council from 2004 to 2012, inclusive, serving twice as mayor of the City of Redding; and

WHEREAS, Dick Dickerson passed away on September 28, 2014, and is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty, his four children, Laurie Steele, Scott Dickerson, Scott Smithson, and Karrie Haynes, his niece, Julie McClean, and his eight grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Through his public service activities, Dick Dickerson made a significant impact on the people of the former 2nd Assembly District, the City of Redding, and the State of California, and he will be greatly missed by all those individuals with whom he was associated; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Highway Route 44 from East Street to Victor Avenue in the City of Redding as the Richard “Dick” Dickerson Memorial Highway; 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 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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