Bill Text: CA ACR98 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 98

Bill Title: CHP Officer Andy Ornelas Memorial Highway

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 55-15)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 60, Statutes of 2024. [ACR98 Detail]

Download: California-2023-ACR98-Chaptered.html

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 98

CHAPTER 60

Relative to the CHP Officer Andy Ornelas Memorial Highway.

[ Filed with Secretary of State April 30, 2024. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 98, Lackey. CHP Officer Andy Ornelas Memorial Highway

This measure would designate the portion of State Route 14 from the Avenue 0-8 bridge at Postmile R62.151 to the Avenue M overcrossing at Postmile R64.678, in the County of Los Angeles, as the CHP Officer Andy Ornelas Memorial Highway. The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate signs, which shall include the star of the California Highway Patrol, showing these special designations and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal Committee: YES

WHEREAS, Andy Ornelas of the California Highway Patrol’s Antelope Valley Area was born in the City of Lancaster, California, to parents Art and Kellie Ornelas on September 8, 1993; and

WHEREAS, Andy was raised in the City of Palmdale, California, where he attended Quartz Hill High School, graduating in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Andy continued his education, receiving a degree in fire science at the University of Antelope Valley and attending the Paramedic Program at the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care; and

WHEREAS, Andy began his professional career as an Emergency Room Technician (EMT) at Antelope Valley Hospital from 2011 through 2013, and continued his professional career as a paramedic and EMT with American Medical Response (AMR) from 2013 through 2016; and

WHEREAS, Andy comes from a law enforcement family: his mother is a retired California Highway Patrol officer from the Antelope Valley station where Andy would later work; his father is a motorcycle officer with the Los Angeles Police Department; his brother is a California Highway Patrol officer in the Central Los Angeles Area office; and his uncle is a retired California Highway Patrol captain; and

WHEREAS, On December 5, 2016, Andy entered the California Highway Patrol Academy and officially became a California Highway Patrol officer on June 16, 2017, and completed his extensive motor training to become a motor officer in April 2018; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, after dating for over 10 years, Andy married the love of his life and best friend, Taylor, and together Andy and Taylor filled their life with love for one another, family, and traveling; and

WHEREAS, Andy was also an extremely devoted son and spent time with his family while dirt bike riding and going to the lake; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ornelas responded to many emergency incidents for individuals injured or otherwise in distress on or around California’s highways; Andy lived the California Highway Patrol motto, “Safety, Service, and Security”; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ornelas not only provided the community with the highest level of safety, service, and security, he also took an active role in community events, including participating in the holiday parade showcasing his riding skills and handing out high fives to children of the Antelope Valley, regularly taking the time to allow children to sit on his motor and take photographs; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ornelas did not hesitate when putting himself in harm’s way to provide needed emergency assistance to a person in distress and in need of immediate attention; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ornelas, badge number 21685, crashed while on his way to help two people involved in a motor accident, sustained multiple injuries, and was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he received around-the-clock care but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on December 2, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Andy is survived by his wife, Taylor; his father, Art; his mother, Kellie; his brother, Cody; and sister, Nikki; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Officer Ornelas’s great contributions and sacrifice in serving the California Highway Patrol and the citizens of California, it is fitting to designate a portion of State Highway Route 14 in the County of Los Angeles in his honor; now therefore be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Route 14 from the Avenue 0-8 bridge at Postmile R62.151 to the Avenue M overcrossing at Postmile R64.678, in the County of Los Angeles, as the CHP Officer Andy Ornelas Memorial Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the costs of erecting the appropriate signs, which shall include the star of the California Highway Patrol, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing these special designations, and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the 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.