Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 70
CHAPTER 134
Relative to the Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza Memorial Highway.
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Filed with
Secretary of State
August 30, 2017.
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LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 70, Salas.
Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza Memorial Highway.
This measure would designate a specified portion of State Route 43 in the City of Shafter in the County of Kern as the Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza Memorial Highway. 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 the cost, to erect those signs.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
YES WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza was born on May 31, 1981, in Toppenish, Washington, to Francisco and Nina Barraza, and was one of five children; and
WHEREAS, Having moved with his family at a young age to Shafter, California, Ricky demonstrated his athletic talents in basketball, football, and track while attending Shafter High School; and
WHEREAS, Following his graduation from Shafter High School in 1999, Ricky chose to dedicate his life to serving his country and enlisted in the United States Army on August 5, 1999; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza brought distinction to his country as a six-time veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, having been deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, On March 18, 2006, during his third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he had been promoted to squad leader and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Fort Lewis, Washington, Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza, at 24 years of age, was killed by enemy small arms fire in the line of duty during a combat mission in western Iraq while helping to evacuate a building; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza, at the time of his passing, left his parents, Francisco and Nina Barraza, his sisters, Amanda, Rachel, Jamie, his brother, Frankie, and his fiancee, Meghan K. Harrington, and her daughter, Kayla; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza received various awards and decorations during his service in the United States Army, including the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, and the Army Good Conduct Medal with a two-knot rope, among many others; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza also was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza made the ultimate sacrifice while performing his sworn duty, it is fitting that we pay tribute to him and recall his devotion to duty and honor his service to our country; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature pays tribute to the memory of Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza, a distinguished and courageous American who gave his life for his country, by designating the portion of State Route 43 from Fresno Avenue to East Los Angeles Street in the City of Shafter in the County of Kern as the Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza 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 nonstate sources sufficient to cover that cost, to erect those signs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.