BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: SCR 80
SENATOR MARK DESAULNIER, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: fuller
VERSION: 3/28/12
Analysis by: Eric Thronson FISCAL: yes
Hearing date: May 8, 2012
SUBJECT:
Lance Corporal Joseph C. Lopez Memorial Interchange
DESCRIPTION:
This resolution names the Rosamund Boulevard Interchange of
State Highway Route 14 in Kern County as the Lance Corporal
Joseph C. Lopez Memorial Interchange.
ANALYSIS:
The committee has adopted a policy regarding the naming of state
highways or structures. Under the policy, the committee will
consider only those resolutions that meet all of the following
criteria:
The person being honored must have provided extraordinary
public service or some exemplary contribution to the public
good and have a connection to the community where the highway
is located.
The person being honored must be deceased.
The naming must be done without cost to the state. Costs for
signs and plaques must be paid by local or private sources.
The author or co-author of the resolution must represent the
district in which the facility is located, and the resolution
must identify the specific highway segment or structure being
named.
The segment of highway being named must not exceed five miles
in length.
The proposed designation must reflect a community consensus
and be without local opposition.
SCR 80 (FULLER) Page 2
The proposed designation may not supersede an existing
designation unless the sponsor can document that a good faith
effort has uncovered no opposition to rescinding the prior
designation.
This resolution designates the Rosamund Boulevard Interchange of
State Highway Route 14 in Kern County as the "Lance Corporal
Joseph C. Lopez Memorial Interchange." The resolution further
requests that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate
signs upon receiving donations from non-state sources to cover
the costs.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . The author introduced this resolution as a tribute
to the life of
Lance Corporal Joseph C. Lopez, who died serving his country
in Afghanistan.
2.Background on Lance Corporal Lopez . Lance Corporal Joseph
"Joey" Lopez grew up in Rosamond, California, and, after
spending a few years after high school trying to find his
calling, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009. Lance Corporal
Lopez was deployed to Afghanistan in September of 2010. On
October 14th, Lance Corporal Lopez' squad was dispatched to
assist another Marine unit taking heavy fire, where he was
subsequently killed by an improvised explosive device. After
his memorial service in the Rosamond High School gym, an event
that drew over one thousand mourners, Lance Corporal Lopez was
buried with military honors.
Lance Corporal Lopez died at the age of 26 while serving in
the US Marine Corps overseas. He is survived by his parents
and four brothers.
3.Consistent with the committee's policy . This resolution is
consistent with all of the provisions of the committee's
policy on highway designations.
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday, May 2, 2012)
SUPPORT: None received.
OPPOSED: None received.
SCR 80 (FULLER) Page 3