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.