BILL NUMBER: ACR 68	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   74
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 11, 1996
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 31, 1996
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 23, 1996
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 12, 1996

INTRODUCED BY  Assembly Member Brown
   (Principal coauthor:  Senator Thompson)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 1996

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 68--Relative to the Parker B.
Rice Memorial Bridge and the Richard "Fresh Air" Janson Bridge.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 68, Brown.  Parker B. Rice Memorial Bridge:  Richard "Fresh
Air" Janson Bridge.
   This measure would designate a certain bridge on State Highway
Route 12 in Santa Rosa the Parker B. Rice Memorial Bridge, and would
designate the Sonoma Creek Bridge on State Highway Route 37 in Sonoma
County the Richard "Fresh Air" Janson Bridge.
   The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to
determine the cost of appropriate plaques and markers showing these
special designations and, upon receiving donations from nonstate
sources covering that cost, to erect those plaques and markers.




   WHEREAS, Parker B. Rice, a native Californian, World War II
veteran, newspaperman, prominent leader in veteran's and service
organizations, as well as devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
will be missed by all who knew him, and by those who benefited from
his many exceptional accomplishments on behalf of veterans; and
   WHEREAS, Following his enlistment at the age of 18, Parker Rice
served as an Army Air Corps aircraft mechanic and saw action
throughout the South Pacific, while rising to the rank of Master
Sergeant; and
   WHEREAS, Wounded in action during the landing of American forces
in the Philippines, he was honorably discharged in 1946; and
   WHEREAS, He then embarked on a 41-year career with the Santa Rosa
"Press Democrat," beginning as an apprentice stereotyper, and rising
to production manager; and
   WHEREAS, In 1951, Parker B. Rice joined the Disabled American
Veterans (DAV) Chapter 48, Santa Rosa, an affiliation that was to
last 43 years, until his death on February 15, 1995, at the age of
71; and
   WHEREAS, During his long tenure with the Disabled American
Veterans, Mr.  Parker served as Commander of the California
Department from 1955-56, and for 15 years served on the prestigious
Claims and Service Commission, chairing the commission for 10 years;
and
   WHEREAS, At the national level, Mr. Rice served as a member of the
16th District National Executive Committee, and held National Junior
and Senior Vice Commander positions; and
   WHEREAS, It is appropriate that the State of California recognize
and memorialize the many contributions that Parker B. Rice has made
to his community, state, and nation;  and
   WHEREAS, The Sonoma Creek Bridge on State Highway Route 37 in
Sonoma County would provide a unique opportunity to honor one of the
Pacific Coast's outstanding artisans; and
   WHEREAS, Decoy carving requires great skill, craftsmanship, and
knowledge of waterfowl; and
   WHEREAS, Richard Ludwig "Fresh Air Dick" Janson is recognized as
one of the premier decoy carvers in the American West; and
   WHEREAS, Mr. Janson's career spanned three decades from the early
1920's until his death in 1951; and
   WHEREAS, Mr. Janson's carvings set the "gold standard" against
which all other Pacific Coast decoys are evaluated; and
   WHEREAS, His carvings educated many relating to, and created an
appreciation of, the waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway; and
   WHEREAS, Mr. Janson was born in Estonia near the Baltic seaport of
Riga, had a Swedish name, and spoke German; and
   WHEREAS, His life reflects the rich diversity of California and
contributions from many regions of the world; and
   WHEREAS, Mr. Janson lived on an ark moored one-half mile from the
bridge where he carved the decoys on Sonoma Creek for most of his
life now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That Bridge No. 20-0267, located near the Santa
Rosa Memorial Building and Sonoma County Fair Grounds on State
Highway Route 12, is hereby officially designated the Parker B. Rice
Memorial Bridge; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Sonoma Creek Bridge on State Highway Route 37
in Sonoma County is hereby officially designated the Richard "Fresh
Air" Janson Bridge; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to
determine the cost of appropriate plaques and markers, consistent
with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing
these special designations and, upon receiving donations from
nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those plaques and
markers; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit a copy of
this resolution to the Director of Transportation.