Bill Text: CA ACR71 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Milton La Malfa Memorial Highway.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2009-09-23 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 107, Statutes of 2009. [ACR71 Detail]
Download: California-2009-ACR71-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: ACR 71 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
RESOLUTION CHAPTER 107
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
ADOPTED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 26, 2009
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Nielsen
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Adams)
(Coauthor: Senator Aanestad)
MAY 4, 2009
Relative to the Milton La Malfa Memorial Highway.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 71, Nielsen. Milton La Malfa Memorial Highway.
This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway
Route 99 in Oroville as the Milton La Malfa 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 that cost, to erect those signs.
WHEREAS, It was with immense sadness and a deep sense of loss that
word was received of the death of Milton Joseph La Malfa on October
5, 2008, a distinguished Californian whose character and deeds in
life merit gratitude and respectful acknowledgment by the people of
the state; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Jose, California, to Tony and Marge La Malfa
on February 22, 1937, Milton La Malfa was raised and lived nearly his
entire life in Richvale, California, on the farm that his Italian
grandfather, Giusseppe La Malfa, purchased in 1931; and
WHEREAS, Earning a degree in agriculture/business from Fresno
State University in 1959, Milton La Malfa married Karon Myers of
Oroville, California, in 1958, and their union was blessed with three
children, Doug, Sherry, and Lisa; and
WHEREAS, An individual of profound faith, Milton La Malfa was a
source of spiritual inspiration for his family, and he helped nurture
the character of each generation and taught the important values
that have enabled them to succeed in our complex society and to
develop and sustain their faith and community spirit; and
WHEREAS, Distinguishing himself as a prominent rice farmer in the
area, Milton La Malfa worked with his father to level the ground in
the 1950s and 1960s, taming new acreage and improving irrigation
methods of rice; Milton La Malfa was also involved with experimental
projects through the rice experiment station, where he worked on
fertilizer and herbicide studies to improve rice production and
yields and grew foundation seed rice, and in 1960, a small rice dryer
was built on the ranch for seed rice storage and isolation; and
WHEREAS, In addition to utilizing his outstanding talent and
skills as an innovative thinker in his farming operation, Milton La
Malfa shared his wise counsel in numerous capacities on a broad range
of public and private organizations, including several rice industry
organizations; and
WHEREAS, A leader in every sense of the word, Milton La Malfa
provided leadership and results-oriented vision as a director of the
Butte County Rice Growers Association from 1973 to 1975 and again
from 1981 to 1986, as well as secretary-treasurer for four years and
chair for one year; Milton La Malfa also served with distinction as a
director of Associated Rice Marketing Cooperative from 1988 to 1993,
serving as chair for one year, and also gave his time as director of
the Richvale Seed Growers for many years; and
WHEREAS, Demonstrating a deep commitment to water and the needs of
the farmer throughout his life, Milton La Malfa was instrumental in
organizing local farmers in 1985 to form the Western Canal Water
Users Association, which initiated the negotiations with Pacific Gas
and Electric to purchase the water rights and conveyance system for
the farmers in the area, and he subsequently became Director of the
Western Canal Water District (formed from the Western Canal Water
Users Association) and also served as its president; and
WHEREAS, Milton La Malfa also contributed extensively as a
director of Drainage District 200 and was on the Board of the
Northern California Water Association, which is the advocacy arm of
the water districts in Sacramento; and
WHEREAS, Milton La Malfa was recognized for his leadership in rice
propagation, development, and in securing water for California rice'
s future, and was nationally awarded the prestigious 2008 Rice Farmer
of the Year Award by the USA Rice Federation; and
WHEREAS, Admired and appreciated for his kindness, generosity of
spirit, love of family, passion for working to make the world a
better place, and genuine capacity to share his time and talents with
others, Milton La Malfa was dedicated to philanthropy in his
personal life, and his many contributions to the community will not
be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong member of the Richvale Evangelical Free
Church, Milton La Malfa served as a trustee on the church board for
several years, and he will be remembered throughout the community as
a friend and confidant by the many persons whose lives he touched;
and
WHEREAS, During his lifetime, Milton La Malfa enjoyed water skiing
and boating, a little golfing and fly-fishing, travel with a few
other couples, and especially spending time at Lake Almanor, both in
the lake or playing board games with the family; and
WHEREAS, Milton La Malfa recently celebrated his 50th wedding
anniversary with his wife, Karon, and is survived by his children,
Doug and Jill La Malfa, Sherry and Scott Smith, and Lisa and Kalin
Koehnen; his seven grandchildren; and his brother, Anthony La Malfa
Jr.; and
WHEREAS, The high esteem in which Milton La Malfa was held by his
loving family, his numerous friends, and other individuals fortunate
enough to have known him stands as a testament for others who strive
for the best in their personal, professional, and community life, and
his memory will live forever in the hearts and minds of those people
who knew him; and
WHEREAS, For those reasons, the Legislature wishes to express its
deepest sympathy at the passing of Milton La Malfa and, by this
resolution, memorializes him for his illustrious record of personal,
professional, and civic achievements, as well as the love and
devotion he gave to his family and friends; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the portion of the State Highway Route 99
between Oroville Dam Boulevard West and Nelson Avenue in Oroville is
hereby designated the Milton La Malfa 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 the special
designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources
covering that cost, to erect those signs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit a copy of
this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author
for distribution.
