Former Democratic state Sen. Jenny Oropeza would be honored posthumously with a Los Angeles County highway overcrossing named after her under a proposal zipping through the Legislature.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 79 awaits final action in the Assembly after being approved by the Senate without a dissenting vote, 33-0. The Assembly Transportation Committee will consider the measure today.
Crafted by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, the resolution would designate a section of State Route 1 near Tesoro Refinery in Los Angeles County as the Honorable Jenny Oropeza Memorial Overcrossing.
SCR 79 noted that Oropeza, a Long Beach Democrat, played a key role in acquiring $107 million in state, federal, railroad and other funds to eliminate train and car conflicts by completing the overcrossing on that busy stretch of roadway.
Oropeza died in October 2010 after a four-year career in the Senate. She also served six years in the Assembly. Oropeza battled numerous health problems during her Capitol career, including liver cancer, a tumor and an abdominal blood clot.
"During her time as a member of the California Legislature, Jenny Oropeza was a champion for public transportation, health care, education, clean air, equality, and prevention of cancer," SCR 79 said.
Signs identifying the Jenny Oropeza Memorial Overcrossing would be erected once donated funds are collected to pay for them.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sen. Jenny Oropeza, 2006. The Sacramento Bee/Brian Baer
* Corrected at 11:35 a.m. Monday to say that the resolution's author is Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance.







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