BILL NUMBER: SCR 44INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator DeSaulnier MAY 20, 2013 Relative to the Joe Eddy McDonald Memorial Overcrossing. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 44, as introduced, 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. Fiscal committee: yes. 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, 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 is commended 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.