SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Dr. Charlie Waters served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1958, including 13 months of combat in Korea between 1951 and 1952.
(b) Following his combat service, Dr. Waters was assigned to the United States Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay.
(c) Dr. Waters served on many boards, commissions, and foundations, serving veterans and the entire community, including the Fresno Marine Corps League, the Veterans Day Parade Committee, the Fresno Veterans Home Foundation, the American Legion, and Toys for Tots.
(d) Dr. Waters played a critical role in the establishment of the Veterans’ Home of California, Fresno, often testifying before the Legislature to ensure adequate funding for the facility. Dr. Waters, along with help from Chuck Parnell and George Sinopoli, paved the road towards the ultimate opening of the veterans’ home located in Fresno.
(e) In addition to the contributions of Dr. Waters, Chuck Parnell, and George Sinopoli, a large number of community members and organizations dedicated their time and resources towards making the veterans’ home in Fresno a reality.
(f) The Veterans’ Home of California, Fresno, opened on October 18, 2013, and includes a bronze bust of Dr. Waters, which was unveiled on September 3, 2014, exactly one year before his death.
(g) Dr. Waters died September 3, 2015, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Yet, even while battling this disease, he continued his fight for housing and services for veterans in the central valley and across the nation.