This measure would designate the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange. The measure would 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.

This measure would designate the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange. The measure would 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.

This measure would designate the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange. The measure would 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.

WHEREAS, Born on August 16, 1923, into the racially segregated community of Gurly, Alabama, James C. Warren left the region at the age of 15 years, when his mother sent him to Island Park, Illinois, where he attended high school; and

WHEREAS, Enlisting in 1943 to preflight with the Tuskegee Airmen, the all black United States Army Air Force unit that distinguished itself in combat during World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Warren was assigned to Indianas Freeman Field, where, after being eliminated from pilot training, he completed navigator training, through which he qualified as both a navigator and a bombardier; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Warren was one of the 101 black officers at Freeman Field in 1945 who were arrested and charged with mutiny because they refused to comply with base regulations excluding black officers from a base officers club; and

WHEREAS, The service records of Lieutenant Colonel Warren and the other 100 officers were cleared by the Air Force in 1995, an action that was announced that year during a convention of the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, After serving with the 477th Bombardment Group of the Tuskegee Airmen, Lieutenant Colonel Warren spent 35 years with the United States Air Force, for which he flew 173 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, earning such esteemed commendations and decorations as the Congressional Gold Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal, among numerous others; and

WHEREAS, A University of Nebraska graduate who ultimately became the oldest individual to earn a pilots license at the age of 87 years, Lieutenant Colonel Warren distinguished himself through his community leadership and participation in the Nut Tree Airports Young Eagles program, as well as his membership with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Warrens great accomplishments in support of the cause of freedom for all people, and especially in light of his contributions to his fellow citizens of California, it would be fitting to designate the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano in his honor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange; and be it further

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

WHEREAS, Born on August 16, 1923, into the racially segregated community of Gurly, Alabama, James C. Warren left the region at the age of 15 years, when his mother sent him to Island Park, Illinois, where he attended high school; and

WHEREAS, Enlisting in 1943 to preflight with the Tuskegee Airmen, the all black United States Army Air Force unit that distinguished itself in combat during World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Warren was assigned to Indianas Freeman Field, where, after being eliminated from pilot training, he completed navigator training, through which he qualified as both a navigator and a bombardier; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Warren was one of the 101 black officers at Freeman Field in 1945 who were arrested and charged with mutiny because they refused to comply with base regulations excluding black officers from a base officers club; and

WHEREAS, The service records of Lieutenant Colonel Warren and the other 100 officers were cleared by the Air Force in 1995, an action that was announced that year during a convention of the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, After serving with the 477th Bombardment Group of the Tuskegee Airmen, Lieutenant Colonel Warren spent 35 years with the United States Air Force, for which he flew 173 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, earning such esteemed commendations and decorations as the Congressional Gold Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal, among numerous others; and

WHEREAS, A University of Nebraska graduate who ultimately became the oldest individual to earn a pilots license at the age of 87 years, Lieutenant Colonel Warren distinguished himself through his community leadership and participation in the Nut Tree Airports Young Eagles program, as well as his membership with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Warrens great accomplishments in support of the cause of freedom for all people, and especially in light of his contributions to his fellow citizens of California, it would be fitting to designate the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano in his honor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange; and be it further

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

WHEREAS, Born on August 16, 1923, into the racially segregated community of Gurly, Alabama, James C. Warren left the region at the age of 15 years, when his mother sent him to Island Park, Illinois, where he attended high school; and

WHEREAS, Enlisting in 1943 to preflight with the Tuskegee Airmen, the all black United States Army Air Force unit that distinguished itself in combat during World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Warren was assigned to Indianas Freeman Field, where, after being eliminated from pilot training, he completed navigator training, through which he qualified as both a navigator and a bombardier; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Warren was one of the 101 black officers at Freeman Field in 1945 who were arrested and charged with mutiny because they refused to comply with base regulations excluding black officers from a base officers club; and

WHEREAS, The service records of Lieutenant Colonel Warren and the other 100 officers were cleared by the Air Force in 1995, an action that was announced that year during a convention of the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, After serving with the 477th Bombardment Group of the Tuskegee Airmen, Lieutenant Colonel Warren spent 35 years with the United States Air Force, for which he flew 173 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, earning such esteemed commendations and decorations as the Congressional Gold Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal, among numerous others; and

WHEREAS, A University of Nebraska graduate who ultimately became the oldest individual to earn a pilot's license at the age of 87 years, Lieutenant Colonel Warren distinguished himself through his community leadership and participation in the Nut Tree Airports Young Eagles Program, as well as his membership with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Warrens great accomplishments in support of the cause of freedom for all people, and especially in light of his contributions to his fellow citizens of California, it would be fitting to designate the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano in his honor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in the County of Solano as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange; and be it further

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

Date of Hearing: July 8, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Jimmy Gomez, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 24

Author:(Wolk) – As Introduced Ver:February 27, 2015

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This measure designates, as the "Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange", the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in Solano County.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Minor State Highway Account costs to Caltrans to make and erect appropriate signs; these costs are fully covered by donations.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. This measure honors Lieutenant Colonel Warren, who was a Tuskegee Airman and 35-year veteran of the US Air Force.

Analysis Prepared by: Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: June 22, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 24

Author:(Wolk) – As Introduced Ver:February 27, 2015

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT: Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange

SUMMARY: Designates the interchange of Interstate 80 (I-80) and Interstate 505 (I-505) in Solano County as the "Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange." Specifically, this resolution:

1. Recounts the lifetime accomplishments of James Warren, a decorated war veteran.

2. Designates the interchange of I-80 and I-505 Solano County as the “Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange.”

3. Requests that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) determine the cost of appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing the special designation and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

EXISTING LAW: Assigns Caltrans the responsibility of operating and maintaining state highways. This includes the installation and maintenance of highway signs.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown, but the measure requests that Caltrans only erect the appropriate signage upon receiving donations from non-state sources covering the cost.

COMMENTS: James C. Warren was born on August 16, 1923, in Gurly, Alabama. He left the area at age 15 when his mother sent him to Island Park, Illinois to attend high school. Mr. Warren enlisted in 1943 with the U.S. Army Air Force’s Tuskegee Airmen unit. He was assigned to Indiana’s Freeman Field, where he completed training to qualify as both a navigator and bombardier. Lt. Colonel Warren was one of the 101 black officers at Freeman Field in 1945 who were arrested and charged with mutiny because they refused to comply with base regulations excluding black officers from a base officers’ club. The Air Force cleared the service records of all 101 officers in 1995.

After serving with the 477th Bombardment Group of the Tuskegee Airmen, Lt. Colonel Warren spent 35 years with the U.S. Air Force, for which he flew 173 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. He earned numerous awards during this time, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Lt. Colonel Warren graduated from the University of Nebraska and ultimately became the oldest individual to earn a pilot’s license at the age of 87 years. Lt. Colonel Warren distinguished himself through his community leadership and participation in the Nut Tree Airport’s Young Eagles Program, as well as his membership with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. Lt. Colonel Warren passed away on May 17, 2014, at the age of 90 following a battle with cancer. This resolution designating this specific highway interchange in honor of Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren acknowledges the significant Lt. Colonel Warren played in his community and for his country.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Manny Leon / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

 CONSENT  

Bill No: SCR 24

Author: Wolk (D), et al.

Introduced: 2/27/15

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 9-0, 5/5/15

AYES: Beall, Allen, Bates, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski

NO VOTE RECORDED: Cannella, Gaines

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SUBJECT: Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This resolution designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in Solano County as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange.

ANALYSIS: This resolution designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in Solano County as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange. This resolution further requests that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate signs upon receiving donations from non-state sources to cover the costs.

Comments

Purpose. The author introduced this resolution to honor the life and service of Lt. Colonel Warren.

Background on Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren. James C. Warren was born on August 16, 1923, in the racially segregated community of Gurly, Alabama. He left the area at age 15 when his mother sent him to Island Park, Illinois, to attend high school. Mr. Warren enlisted in 1943 with the U.S. Army Air Force’s Tuskegee Airmen unit. He was assigned to Indiana’s Freeman Field, where he completed training to qualify as both a navigator and bombardier. Lt. Colonel Warren was one of the 101 black officers at Freeman Field in 1945 who were arrested and charged with mutiny because they refused to comply with base regulations excluding black officers from a base officers’ club. The Air Force cleared the service records of all 101 officers in 1995.

After serving with the 477th Bombardment Group of the Tuskegee Airmen,
Lt. Colonel Warren spent 35 years with the U.S. Air Force, for which he flew 173 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. He earned numerous awards during this time, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Lt. Colonel Warren graduated from the University of Nebraska and ultimately became the oldest individual to earn a pilot’s license at the age of 87 years.
Lt. Colonel Warren distinguished himself through his community leadership and participation in the Nut Tree Airport’s Young Eagles Program, as well as his membership with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. Lt. Colonel Warren passed away on May 17, 2014, at the age of 90 following a battle with cancer.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/15/15)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/15/15)

None received

Prepared by: Erin Riches / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121

5/19/15 14:36:39

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: SCR 24 Hearing Date: 5/5/2015

SUBJECT: Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange

DIGEST: This resolution designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in Solano County as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange.

ANALYSIS:

This committee has adopted a policy regarding the naming of state highways or structure. Under the policy, the committee will consider only those resolutions that meet all of the following criteria:

1. The person being honored must have provided extraordinary public service or some exemplary contribution to the public good and have a connection to the community where the highway or structure is located.

2. The person being honored must be deceased.

3. The naming must be done without cost to the state. Costs for signs and plaques must be paid by local or private sources.

4. The author or co-author of the resolution must represent the district in which the facility is located, and the resolution must identify the specific highway segment or structure being named.

5. The segment of highway being named must not exceed five miles in length.

6. The proposed designation must reflect a community consensus and be without local opposition.

7. The proposed designation may not supersede an existing designation unless the sponsor can document that a good-faith effort has uncovered no opposition to rescinding the prior designation.

This resolution designates the interchange of Interstate Routes 80 and 505 in Solano County as the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange. This resolution further requests that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate signs upon receiving donations from non-state sources to cover the costs.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. The author introduced this resolution to honor the life and service of Lt. Colonel Warren.

2. Background on Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren. James C. Warren was born on August 16, 1923, in the racially segregated community of Gurly, Alabama. He left the area at age 15 when his mother sent him to Island Park, Illinois to attend high school. Mr. Warren enlisted in 1943 with the U.S. Army Air Force’s Tuskegee Airmen unit. He was assigned to Indiana’s Freeman Field, where he completed training to qualify as both a navigator and bombardier. Lt. Colonel Warren was one of the 101 black officers at Freeman Field in 1945 who were arrested and charged with mutiny because they refused to comply with base regulations excluding black officers from a base officers’ club. The Air Force cleared the service records of all 101 officers in 1995.

After serving with the 477^th Bombardment Group of the Tuskegee Airmen, Lt. Colonel Warren spent 35 years with the U.S. Air Force, for which he flew 173 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. He earned numerous awards during this time, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Lt. Colonel Warren graduated from the University of Nebraska and ultimately became the oldest individual to earn a pilot’s license at the age of 87 years. Lt. Col. Warren distinguished himself through his community leadership and participation in the Nut Tree Airport’s Young Eagles Program, as well as his membership with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. Lt. Col. Warren passed away on May 17, 2014, at the age of 90 following a battle with cancer.

3. Consistent with committee policy. This resolution is consistent with the provisions of the committee’s policy on highway designation.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Yes Local:

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

April 29, 2015.)

SUPPORT:

None received

OPPOSITION:

None received

-- END --