Amended  IN  Assembly  April 12, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 47

Introduced by Assembly Member Bigelow

March 06, 2019

Relative to the CAL FIRE Firefighter Braden Varney Memorial Highway.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 47, as amended, Bigelow. CAL FIRE Firefighter Braden Varney Memorial Highway.
This measure would designate a specified portion of State Route 140 in the County of Mariposa as the CAL FIRE Firefighter Braden Varney Memorial Highway. The measure would request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, erect those signs.
Fiscal Committee: YES  
WHEREAS, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney passed away in the line of duty on July 14, 2018, at 36 years of age, while battling the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County, California; and
WHEREAS, Braden Varney is survived by his mother, Lynn; loving wife, Jessica; daughter, Maleah; son, Nolan; and sister, Chale’; and
WHEREAS, Braden Varney was born in Mariposa County on May 12, 1982, and was raised there; and
WHEREAS, During his high school years in Mariposa County, Braden’s favorite sport was baseball, from which he was known for hitting home runs; and
WHEREAS, Braden loved helping others, building quality relationships, creating memorable moments, sharing his knowledge, and making everyone feel special; and
WHEREAS, Braden was incredibly close to everyone in his life and was a friend to all; and
WHEREAS, In his private life, Braden loved houseboating, riding motorcycles, camping, shooting, fishing, and operating equipment; and
WHEREAS, Braden Varney was a 10-year veteran of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, having followed in the footsteps of his late father, Gordie Varney, another department heavy fire equipment operator who also perished in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, Throughout Braden’s life, he generously donated thousands of dollars worth of time and equipment to build and maintain the road to the Barrier-Sweetwater Youth Camp in Mariposa County; and
WHEREAS, Braden and his father simply loved Sam Hensley’s vision and wanted to support “getting the kids to camp”; and
WHEREAS, On July 14, 2018, Braden was operating his bulldozer on the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County and, during the early morning hours, his bulldozer experienced a rollover that resulted in Braden’s passing; and
WHEREAS, We pause to honor Braden Varney for his dedication to public service and for his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, Braden Varney exemplified the professionalism, work ethic, dedication, and self-sacrifice for which Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters are known, and he will never be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the contributions of Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Firefighter Braden Varney to the people of California and designates the five-mile portion of State Route 140 north of between its intersection junction with State Route 49 (latitude 37.493083 and longitude 119.97272) (postmile 22.080) and Triangle Road (postmile 26.290) in the County of Mariposa as the CAL FIRE Firefighter Braden Varney Memorial Highway; 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.