BILL NUMBER: SCR 141	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Morrell
   (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Nestande)
   (Coauthors: Senators Anderson and Roth)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Brown, Donnelly, Linder, Medina,
Melendez, and Rodriguez)

                        AUGUST 18, 2014

   Relative to the CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas
Memorial Highway.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 141, as introduced, Morrell. CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher
Lee Douglas Memorial Highway.
   This measure would designate a 5-mile portion of Interstate 10 as
the CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas Memorial Highway.
The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to
determine the cost for appropriate signs showing this special
designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources
covering that cost, to erect those signs.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE) Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas passed away in the
line of duty on July 5, 2013, at the age of 41, while responding to a
traffic accident in Riverside County; and
   WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas was born in Colorado Springs,
Colorado and attended Widefield High School. He later attended
Palomar College in Vista, California, graduating at the top of his
class and earning his paramedic license; and
   WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas was an 11-year veteran of the United
States Air Force, enlisting in 1992. While stationed at Vandenberg
Air Force Base, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, attended Airman
Leadership School, and was a Missile and Space Systems Maintenance
Apprentice. During his Air Force career, he earned the Air Force
Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force
Longevity Service Award with 1 device, the Air Force Training Ribbon,
and the National Defense Service Medal; and
   WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas had a passion for firefighting,
beginning his career as a volunteer firefighter paramedic in 1999. At
his graduation ceremony from the Company Officer's Academy, he
received the Carpe Diem Award for leadership. In 2004, Firefighter
Douglas began his career with CAL FIRE at La Quinta Fire Station #32
as a Firefighter II/Paramedic and was promoted to Fire Apparatus
Engineer/Paramedic on June 4, 2013; and
   WHEREAS, In his spare time, Firefighter Douglas enjoyed surfing,
playing the guitar, cooking, working on cars, traveling, and spending
time with his friends. Above all else, he valued spending time with
his family; and
   WHEREAS, On July 5, 2013, Firefighter Douglas was leaving the
scene of a medical emergency when his fire engine was dispatched to
another call, a traffic accident. While preparing to respond to the
traffic accident, Firefighter Douglas was struck by a pickup truck
while he was along the side of his fire engine, and succumbed to his
injuries a few hours later; and
   WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas is survived by his mother, Rose
Porter, sister, Heather Douglas, brother, Martin Douglas, and his
parents-in-law, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken; and his loving wife, Amy,
and their three-year-old son, Samuel, and four-month-old daughter,
Bridget; and
   WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas exemplified the professionalism, work
ethic, and dedication for which CAL FIRE firefighters are known. He
touched the lives of many, is truly missed by all who knew him, and
will never be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the contributions
of CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas to the people of
California and hereby designates the 5-mile portion of Interstate 10
from the 22nd Street undercrossing to the Malki Road undercrossing in
Banning, California, as the CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee
Douglas 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 non-state sources
sufficient to cover 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.