Bill Text: CA SCR44 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial Overcrossing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-09-20 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 124, Statutes of 2013. [SCR44 Detail]
Download: California-2013-SCR44-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: SCR 44 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
RESOLUTION CHAPTER 124
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
ADOPTED IN SENATE AUGUST 15, 2013
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 18, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Senator DeSaulnier
(Coauthor: Senator Hancock)
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Skinner)
MAY 20, 2013
Relative to the Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial Overcrossing.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 44, DeSaulnier. Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial Overcrossing.
This measure would designate the Willow Avenue Overcrossing over
State Highway Route 4 in Contra Costa County as the Joe Eddy McDonald
Memorial Overcrossing. 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 covering that cost, to erect those signs.
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was born March 6, 1945, in Lewisville,
Arkansas, to the late Jesse and Geraldine McDonald; and
WHEREAS, The McDonald Family moved to Richmond, California, in
1950; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald received his primary education in the
West Contra Costa Unified School District and graduated from Richmond
Union High School; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald enlisted in the United States Navy for
a two-year tour of duty; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald earned an associate of arts degree in
business administration from Contra Costa College and completed
professional development courses offered by Duke and Harvard
Universities; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald married his high school sweetheart,
Mary Ann Rollins, on October 9, 1966, and had two beautiful
daughters, Kimaree and Meiko; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was a passionate father, committed to
his family, which led to his future commitment as a humble servant to
his community; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald began working for the United States
Postal Service in 1966 as a letter carrier; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald worked his way through the ranks of the
United States Postal Service, eventually becoming postmaster of the
Cities of Rodeo and Hercules and serving in that capacity for 19
years until his retirement in 2002; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald lost his daughter Kimaree McDonald and
niece Tiffane Spencer in a tragic car accident in October 1994; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald spearheaded a campaign to widen and
divide the two-lane stretch of State Highway Route 4 on the west side
of the County of Contra Costa to keep others from suffering the same
tragic fate; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy and Mary Ann McDonald collected over 10,000
signatures on a petition to state lawmakers, made presentations to
government agencies, and organized a community walk to the Hercules
City Council; and
WHEREAS, The McDonald's advocacy led to an $86 million State
Highway Route 4 widening project, which added two lanes; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served as president of the Rodeo and
Hercules Rotary Club; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served as Area II Director of Chapter
IV of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served as master of Monarch Lodge No.
73 for the State of California; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was a founding member of the Black
America's Political Action Committee, a member of the Black American
Cultural Association, and a charter member of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Hercules chapter;
and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald served on the Library Ad Hoc
Fundraising Committee and the City of Hercules Planning Commission
from December 2002 to November 2006, serving as chairman the last two
and one-half years; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Joe Eddy McDonald successfully campaigned to
serve on the Hercules City Council, serving as vice mayor in 2008 and
as mayor in 2009; and
WHEREAS, During Joe Eddy McDonald's tenure on the Hercules City
Council, he was a dedicated and effective member of many regional
committees, including the Pinole/Hercules Wastewater Management JPA,
the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority JPA, the
Contra Costa Mayors Conference, and the Association of Bay Area
Governments Executive Board; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald was responsible for the approved
agreement with the West Contra Costa Unified School District to
retain the music program in Hercules elementary schools and with
Contra Costa College to provide classes in the redevelopment project
area; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald deserves commendation for his years of
service to the residents of Hercules; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald and his family were charter members of
the True Fellowship Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of
the Trustee Ministry under the leadership of Reverend Robert K.
Gordon; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald and his family later became members at
Valley Bible Church under the pastorage of Dr. Phillip Howard; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, June 9, 2012, Joe Eddy McDonald's earthly
journey was complete; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald led a life of extraordinary courage and
strength; and
WHEREAS, Joe Eddy McDonald leaves his legacy of love to his wife,
Mary Ann McDonald, daughter Meiko McDonald, granddaughter Kimaree
McDonald Solomon, all of Hercules, four brothers: John Wesley,
Charles Edward (Aquila), Freddie Ray (Evelyn), and Steven Paul
McDonald (Mpheza), one sister, Yvonne Marie McDonald, and a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature honors the life,
achievements, and distinguished career of Joe Eddy McDonald and
recognizes Joe Eddy McDonald's honorable and faithful service to the
people of Contra Costa County and the City of Hercules, and hereby
designates the Willow Avenue Overcrossing over State Highway Route 4
in Contra Costa County as the Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial
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 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.
