BILL NUMBER: ACR 160	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 24, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member V. Manuel Perez
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Salas)
   (Coauthors: Senators Ducheny and Huff)

                        APRIL 19, 2010

   Relative to the Imperial Valley Pioneers  Highway
  Expressway  .



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 160, as amended, V. Manuel Perez. Imperial Valley Pioneers
 Highway   Expressway  .
   This measure would designate the portion of State Highway Route
111 between  State Highway Route   Interstate
 8 and State Highway Route 78, in Imperial County, as the
Imperial Valley Pioneers  Highway   Expressway
 . The measure would also 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.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, In 1849, advancements in engineering made it possible for
water to be conveyed from the Colorado River to the interior desert
of Southern California, creating the opportunity for year-round
farming; and
   WHEREAS, By 1901, courageous pioneers from throughout the world,
staking their future on the region's agricultural promise, began to
relocate to the vast desert area now called the Imperial Valley; and
   WHEREAS, These pioneers reflected the cultural melting pot of the
early twentieth century, a patchwork quilt of peoples -- including
African American, Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, French, German,
Greek, Irish, Italian, Japanese American, Lebanese, Mexican,
Portuguese, and Swiss -- that has contributed to California's rich
diversity today; and
   WHEREAS, These pioneers envisioned the potential for prosperous
and thriving communities in the harsh environment of the low desert,
leveling their own land and constructing the first roads and canals,
making way for the development of homes, schools, businesses, and
places of worship; and
   WHEREAS, The determination, ingenuity, and hard work of the
Imperial Valley pioneers helped to create a thriving $1 billion
annual agricultural economy, making it one of the most productive
farming regions in California; and
   WHEREAS, Imperial Valley pioneers became leading members of the
community, helping to establish civic, religious, charitable, and
other organizations to advance quality of life in the region; and
   WHEREAS, The Imperial Valley Pioneers Association was established
in 1928 for the purpose of uniting pioneer families in the area and
educating newcomers about the history of the early settlers to keep
history alive for future generations; and
   WHEREAS, The Pioneers Museum and Cultural Center, located at
Pioneers Park near the City of Imperial, is operated by the Imperial
County Historical Society and is a rich archive of documents,
newspapers, personal letters, period furniture, photographs,
clothing, and sundry equipment used by early settlers, with galleries
honoring the different ethnic communities and their history of
settlement in the Imperial Valley; and
   WHEREAS, It is valuable and important to commemorate the
remarkable modern history of the irrigated desert and of the people
who settled it, to learn from the inspiring American story of diverse
people uniting around the common dream of a better future, and to
honor the vision and daring of those who opened the rugged desert
frontier and built a community enjoyed by succeeding generations;
now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the significant
contributions made by Imperial Valley pioneers to the State of
California and designates the portion of State Highway Route 111
between  State Highway Route   Interstate 
8 and State Highway Route 78, in Imperial County, as the Imperial
Valley Pioneers  Highway   Expressway  ;
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 the cost, to erect those signs; and be it further

   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author
for appropriate distribution.