Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 119

Introduced by Senator Fuller

May 12, 2014

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 119—Relative to the CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial Interchange.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 119, as introduced, Fuller. CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial Interchange.

This measure would designate the Interchange at State Route 99 and State Route 58 in the County of Kern, as the CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial Interchange. The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate signs, that shall include the star of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal committee: yes.

WHEREAS, Officer Gerald Nathan Harris was born on
November 19, 1938, to Sam and Juanita Harris, in the City of
Bakersfield, California, and had four siblings: Alan, JoAnn, Melvin
and Phillip; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris graduated from North High School
in 1957, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly
thereafter. After several years of service, he was honorably
discharged on December 5, 1965; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris married the love of his life, Sherril,
on August 25, 1961, and had a wonderful daughter, Holly, born
December 31, 1965, whom he treasured dearly; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris was a service salesman employed
by Three Way Chevrolet prior to becoming a California Highway
Patrol Officer; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris graduated from the Department of
the California Highway Patrol Academy in 1967 with Academy
Class CTC-IV-67, and was assigned to the Santa Fe Springs Area,
where he served for approximately one year before being
transferred to the Bakersfield Area, where he spent the remainder
of his career; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris, badge number 5554, was killed in
the line of duty on February 27, 1974, while directing traffic at an
intersection in the City of Bakersfield, where he was struck by a
hit-and-run driver; and

WHEREAS, The impact of the collision left Officer Harris with
a broken leg and other injuries, which, at the time, did not appear
to be life threatening; and

WHEREAS, When Officer Harris subsequently required special
medical treatment, the president of Continental Telephone in the
City of Bakersfield volunteered his company’s medical plane to
take him to a hospital in San Francisco for special treatment, but
Officer Harris, unfortunately, died shortly thereafter from an
embolism; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris is survived by his wife, Sherril, his
daughter, Holly, and two siblings, Alan and Melvin, and two
grandchildren, Tyler, born February 13, 1991, and Christian, born
June 9, 1994; and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris was a hardworking, dedicated officer
who loved his job and enjoyed the people with whom he worked,
and who, throughout his career, received several letters
commending him on his exemplary service, including one from
then Wasco Chief of Police, Robert Duke, and several thank you
letters from those whose lives he saved or changed dramatically;
and

WHEREAS, Officer Harris was good natured, gracious, honest
and loyal, and would always go out of his way to help those in
need. In his spare time, he enjoyed weight lifting, the Police
Olympics, softball, volunteering to teach bicycle safety to children
in schools, and spending time with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Officer Harris’s great
contributions and sacrifice in serving the Department of the
California Highway Patrol and the citizens of California, it would
be fitting to designate the Interchange at State Route 99 and State
Route 58 in the County of Kern, California, in his honor; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the
Interchange at State Route 99 and State Route 58 in the County
of Kern, as the CHP Officer Gerald N. Harris Memorial
Interchange; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested
to determine the costs of erecting the appropriate signs, that shall
include the star of the Department of the California Highway
Patrol, consistent with the signing requirements for the state
highway system, showing these special designations, and upon
receiving donations from nonstate sources covering 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.

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CORRECTIONS:

Digest Key--Page 1.

Text--Page 2.

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