Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 113

Introduced by Senator Evans

(Coauthor: Assembly Member Chesbro)

April 21, 2014

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 113—Relative to the Bicyclist John Mello Memorial Bridge.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 113, as introduced, Evans. Bicyclist John Mello Memorial Bridge.

This measure would designate each of the Mad River Bridges on State Highway Route 101, in the County of Humboldt, as the Bicyclist John Mello Memorial Bridge. This measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering those costs, to erect those signs.

Fiscal committee: yes.

WHEREAS, John Mello was the kind of man that forms the
backbone and fabric of a community. He was a loving and devoted
father, grandfather, and friend, who is survived by his brother, Joe,
his sister, Lina, his daughter, Angie, his son Brian, and his
grandchildren, Ryan, Justin, Ricky, Ariah, and Preston; and

WHEREAS, John set a fine example for all in our state with his
unselfish generosity and unconditional love, support, and friendship
to his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, John set an example to everyone who knew him
with his integrity, knowledge, loyalty, humor, compassion, work
ethic, and athletic ability. His passions included cycling, hunting,
and camping, but most of all his family; and

WHEREAS, John would drop whatever he was doing to help a
family member or friend in any way he could and was thoughtful,
generous, and never more than a phone call away; and

WHEREAS, John was a skilled heavy equipment mechanic
whose life was tragically cut short while pursuing one of his many
interests, long distance bicycling. He was fatally struck by a
county-owned truck on Sunday, February 23, 2013, that, according
to the report filed by the Department of the California Highway
Patrol, made an unsafe turn and was the primary cause of the
accident; and

WHEREAS, John was an example to all cyclists, not only with
his enthusiasm for the sport, but also for his careful adherence to
the rules of the road. He was observed by law enforcement shortly
before he was struck near Patrick's Point State Park as riding
carefully and lawfully; and

WHEREAS, The memory of John Mello serves as an inspiration
to everyone that it is the little things in life that we do for each
other that are often the most meaningful; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates each
of the Mad River Bridges on State Highway Route 101, Bridge
No. 4-0025R (northbound) and Bridge 4-0025L (southbound), in
the County of Humboldt, as the Bicyclist John Mello Memorial
Bridge; 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 Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author
for appropriate distribution.