Bill Text: CA SCR117 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Senate Concurrent Resolution 117

Bill Title: John Hughes Memorial Bridge.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)

Status: (Passed) 2026-07-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 150, Statutes of 2026. [SCR117 Detail]

Download: California-2025-SCR117-Chaptered.html

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 117

CHAPTER 150

Relative to the John Hughes Memorial Bridge.

[ Filed with Secretary of State July 16, 2026. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SCR 117, Dahle. John Hughes Memorial Bridge.

This measure would designate the Butte City Bridge on State Route 162, in the County of Glenn, as the John Hughes Memorial Bridge. The 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 to cover that cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal Committee: YES

WHEREAS, John Hughes lived by the values that defined his community: hard work, loyalty, and pride in a job well done; and

WHEREAS, After early work in agriculture, John found his true calling in bridge construction, being hired by Mark Sawyer for small bridge projects over canals and dams in the County of Glenn, quickly earning a reputation for his exceptional work ethic, integrity, and leadership; and

WHEREAS, John’s supervisors, including the foreman of the Butte City Bridge project, often called him directly for insight; and

WHEREAS, John earned numerous safety awards and mentored countless young workers, proving that with hard work and heart, a meaningful and successful life is possible, even without a college degree; and

WHEREAS, One of the greatest joys of John’s later career was getting the opportunity to pass down his knowledge to the next generation, especially to his own son, teaching him the skills of the trade and building a few bridges alongside him; and

WHEREAS, John worked on several major bridge projects, including projects in the City of Watsonville with C.C. Meyers, Stony Creek Bridge, the Carquinez Bridge Expansion, which won a safety award in 2006, Rainbow Bridge, Galena Creek Bridge, which won safety and ahead-of-schedule awards in 2011, Spanish Creek Bridge, a safety award recipient, and the San Francisco International Airport Interchange Flyovers; and

WHEREAS, John was known for feeding entire work crews off his grill, bringing the same care and attention to his cooking as he did to his craft; and

WHEREAS, John was an incredible father and grandfather, leading his children and grandchildren with love, strength, and patience; and

WHEREAS, Dozens of past employees and coworkers came forward at John’s funeral to honor him as a man who gave his all, not just to his work but to the people beside him; and

WHEREAS, Within the construction industry, a tool he invented became affectionately known as “The Hughes Bracket,” and although never patented, it was widely used to lock down falsework and tie beams together and became a quiet testament to his ingenuity and contribution to the trade; and

WHEREAS, In tribute to John Hughes’ legacy, his wife, Sheri, established a memorial scholarship in his name to support young people in our community who wish to pursue trade school or construction management, honoring his belief that anyone with drive and discipline should have a chance to build a meaningful life; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the Butte City Bridge on State Route 162 at the Sacramento River, bridge number 11-0100 at postmile 76.660, in the County of Glenn, as the John Hughes Memorial Bridge; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of erecting appropriate signs, consistent with the signage requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that 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.