Bill Text: CA ACR40 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 40 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Harry Tow Memorial Highway Overcrossing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-09-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 112, Statutes of 2021. [ACR40 Detail]

Download: California-2021-ACR40-Chaptered.html

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 40

CHAPTER 112

Relative to the Harry Tow Memorial Highway Overcrossing.

[ Filed with Secretary of State September 07, 2021. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 40, Mathis. Harry Tow Memorial Highway Overcrossing.

This measure would designate the highway overcrossing in the City of Visalia off Plaza Drive and California State Route 198 at postmile R4.796 as the Harry Tow Memorial Highway Overcrossing. The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal Committee: YES

WHEREAS, Harry Tow was a true Visalian at heart, and his enduring mark is imprinted on the lives of all who were fortunate enough to work with him; and

WHEREAS, Harry met the love of his life, Shirley, in high school, whom he later married and remained married to for 73 years; and

WHEREAS, They have three sons: their late son, John; Bill, who is the head of the Department of International Relations at the University of Australia; and Robert, who owns an electronics business in Three Rivers; and

WHEREAS, Harry attended the University of Southern California where he studied civil engineering, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1947, and master’s degree in 1952; and

WHEREAS, Harry’s lifetime of service and dedication to improving his community started as a design engineer for the City of Los Angeles in 1948, and continued as both a city engineer and city manager for the City of Visalia; and

WHEREAS, Harry’s professionalism, integrity, and commitment to ethical practices were seen continuously in his 48 years’ experience with Quad Consulting, which he cofounded in 1972, and later merged with Knopf Engineering in 1998 to form QK; and

WHEREAS, Harry was renowned throughout his life for the drive and enthusiasm that he showed in every role and task he undertook, where even at the age of 94 he still worked 20 hours a week; and

WHEREAS, In his lifetime of service, Harry’s many accomplishments and wise planning helped lay the foundation for creating the quality community that the City of Visalia is today; and

WHEREAS, Harry was instrumental in overseeing the transfer of the hospital to the Kaweah Delta Health Care District, which then set the stage for the growth and expansion of the hospital, including the construction of the helipad and Acequia Wing; and

WHEREAS, Alongside the revitalization of the City of Visalia, Harry was also a key figure in the city’s development and growth; and

WHEREAS, Harry was responsible for guiding the creation of Plaza Park and the neighboring industrial park, which laid the foundation for what is now a thriving Industrial Park, which has created jobs and generated revenue for the city; and

WHEREAS, Harry was a role model and leader within the community, which was reflected in his role as president for the Tulare County Industrial Park, the Visalia Rotary Club, the San Joaquin Valley City Manager’s Association, the Mt. Whitney Area Council, the Boy Scouts of America, the California Water Environment Association, the Water Environmental Federation, and the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Harry’s commitment and compassion for the people and City of Visalia was also seen in his numerous roles as a member or chair of St. Paul’s Episcopal School Board, the Diocese of Camp San Joaquin, the League of Cities Environmental Committee, the Visalia YMCA Board of Directors, the American Building Association, and the College of the Sequoias Foundation Board; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his dedicated work, Harry received numerous awards throughout his life, including the hall of fame award from the College of the Sequoias Foundation Board, a Distinguished Award Honoree from the Boy Scouts of America, and Man of the Year from the Visalia Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, For many decades, Harry’s vision and quiet leadership have made a huge and meaningful difference in the community where he was known as a mentor, a role model, and an inspiration to all; and

WHEREAS, The City of Visalia has always been a special place, known as the “Jewel of the Valley” to many; and

WHEREAS, One of the foremost reasons for that is Harry Tow; and

WHEREAS, Harry passed away on May 27, 2020, at 94 years of age; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature pays tribute to the memory of Harry Tow for his lifetime of contributions to the City of Visalia by designating the highway overcrossing in the City of Visalia off Plaza Drive and California State Route 198, at postmile R4.796, as the Harry Tow Memorial Highway Overcrossing, 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 that cost, to erect those signs; and be it further

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