BILL NUMBER: SCR 79	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   65
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   MAY 28, 1998
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 22, 1998
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   APRIL 30, 1998
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 21, 1998

INTRODUCED BY   Senators O'Connell and Kopp
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Bordonaro and Firestone)

                        MARCH 9, 1998

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 79--Relative to California
Highway Patrol Officers Britt T. Irvine and Rick B. Stovall.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 79, O'Connell.  California Highway Patrol Officers Britt T.
Irvine and Rick B. Stovall.
   This measure would dedicate the portion of State Highway Route 166
from Route 101 near Santa Maria to Route 33 in the Cuyama Valley to
the memory of California Highway Patrol Officers Britt T. Irvine and
Rick B. Stovall and would specify that this portion of Route 166
shall be known as the CHP Officers Irvine and Stovall Memorial
Highway.  The measure also would request the Department of
Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate highway markers
or signs showing that special designation and, upon receiving
donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect
appropriate highway markers and signs.




   WHEREAS, During the dark, early morning of February 24, 1998, a
single patrol unit carrying California Highway Patrol Officers Britt
T. Irvine and Rick B. Stovall, who were responding to an emergency
call, plunged off the eastbound lane of State Highway Route 166, that
had been washed out as a result of heavy rainfall, approximately 12
miles east of State Highway Route 101 along the Cuyama River; and
   WHEREAS, The vehicle was carried downstream in the raging Cuyama
River waters with mud and debris trapping the officers inside; and
   WHEREAS, Subsequently, the officers' patrol unit was first spotted
upside down in the mud by a California Highway Patrol helicopter;
and
   WHEREAS, After more than four hours of rescue efforts, it was
determined that, tragically, Officers Irvine and Stovall were
deceased; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Britt T. Irvine was born in Denver, Colorado, and
he was 40 years old and had been a uniformed officer of the
Department of the California Highway Patrol since May of 1983; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Irvine was assigned to the El Centro, San Jose,
and Marin areas before his assignment to Santa Maria in September of
1990; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Irvine leaves behind two stepsons and one
stepdaughter and his parents; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Rick B. Stovall was born in Crescent City,
California, and he was 39 years old and was appointed as an officer
of the department in August of 1980; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Stovall was assigned to the West Los Angeles,
Santa Barbara, Crescent City, and San Luis Obispo areas before his
assignment to Santa Maria in February of 1991; and
   WHEREAS, Officer Stovall leaves behind his wife, son, and
daughter, and his father, who is a retired California Highway Patrol
officer; and
   WHEREAS, Both Officers Irvine and Stovall were known for their
dedication to the Department of the California Highway Patrol and to
the protection of the citizens of our state; and
   WHEREAS, It is appropriate that the portion of State Highway Route
166 from Route 101 near Santa Maria to Route 33 in the Cuyama Valley
be dedicated to the memory of Officer Britt T. Irvine and Officer
Rick B. Stovall who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to
the people of California; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved, by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby dedicates the portion
of State Highway Route 166 from Route 101 near Santa Maria to Route
33 in the Cuyama Valley to the memory of California Highway Patrol
Officers Britt T. Irvine and Rick B. Stovall; and be it further
   Resolved, That that portion of State Highway Route 166 shall be
known as the CHP Officers Irvine and Stovall Memorial Highway ; and
be it further
   Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to
determine the cost of erecting the appropriate plaques and markers,
consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway
system, showing the special designation, and upon receiving donations
from nonstate sources covering the cost, to erect those plaques and
markers; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author for
appropriate distribution.