California lawmakers act to name stretch of 134 Freeway in honor of former President Obama

[diva77]

Source: Los Angeles Times

State lawmakers Tuesday gave final approval to designating a section of the 134 Freeway as the President Barack H. Obama Highway in honor of the 44th president of the United States.

Supporters of the measure will now raise the private funds needed to place signs with Obama's name along the section of the 134 between the 210 Freeway and the 2 Freeway, which includes parts of Glendale, Pasadena and Eagle Rock.

Obama, who left office in January, attended Occidental College in Eagle Rock in 1979 before transferring to Columbia University in 1981.

State Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) said he decided to seek renaming the stretch of the Ventura Freeway after learning Obama lived in Pasadena as a student and used the freeway to commute to class at Occidental.

Portantino made a veiled reference in his comments on the floor to President Trump’s decision that day to end a program that protects young immigrants from deportation.

“It is particularly proud to stand today to recognize [Obama’s] compassion and heart and dignity on a day when we sorely need compassion, heart and dignity expressed,” Portantino told his colleagues.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-california-lawmakers-act-to-rename-1504653461-htmlstory.html

[sandensea]

1. They can tie Orly Taitz in one of the lanes while they're at it.

Her last words will be: "But nobody rememberrrrrs his being therrrrrre!!!"

[bitterross]

2. This is great. Too bad it isn't in Orange County.

Hillary took Orange county so that says something positive about the Republicans there. Either they sat out the election or voted for humanity.

[diva77]

3. I think the demographics of OC have changed dramatically; the orange curtain has been pulled back

Last edited Wed Sep 6, 2017, 03:25 AM - Edit history (1)

somewhat.

AFAIC, I wouldn't mind if they named the 405, the 5, and the 101 after him as well

[GReedDiamond]

4. That's where I drive ALL the time...

...that's my immediate neighborhood when it comes to L.A. Area Freeways.

I like it (the Obama Highway designation, not necessarily drivin' onnit).

[oasis]

6. I just love those pastrami dipped sandwiches at "The Hat".

[GReedDiamond]

10. Yeah "The Hat" is in my neighborhood...

...good stuff.

[MurrayDelph]

14. Never been to The Hat

But I like the food at Big Mama's Rib Shack. It was one of my go-to places when I lived in LA and would see Roy Zimmerman when he performed at The Coffee Gallery.

[GReedDiamond]

16. I just went for the 1st time to Bonnie B's Smokin...

...Barbecue Heaven, up on north Lake Street, maybe 8 or 10 blocks south of the Coffee Gallery (just below Washington Blvd).

Very good ribs and baked beans. I'm sure the rest of the menu is good, too. If you're in the area, you may want to try em out.

[MurrayDelph]

17. Thanks. I'll keep it in mind

when I'm down for Thanksgiving.

[calimary]

24. We saw Barry McGuire at the Coffee Gallery!

Acoustic show with a guitar partner. He played "Eve of Destruction", too!

[BeyondGeography]

26. Now that

is cool.

[calimary]

23. Oh Man, The Hat! We've been there, too. WELL worth the drive from the Westside!

[Initech]

20. Mmmmmmmmmmm... The Hat!

[oasis]

21. Deeeeelish. If gorging on pastrami is wrong then

I don't wanna be right.

[flibbitygiblets]

5. Watched a rerun of his defense of ACA @ Kennedy Center award profile in courage

Forgot how comforting it used to be to fall asleep on the couch listening to the soothing voice of a smart guy running the country...all is well, no need to stay awake and keep an eye on things...zzzzz.......


FUCK I miss those days.

[Catch2.2]

7. Awesome!

One of the best presidents in history! Well done Southern California!

[oasis]

8. It's also in Congressman Adam Schiff's district.

[iluvtennis]

9. As a LA native, I love it.

[ariesgem]

11. Can't wait!

That's right in my neck of the woods (Altadena, CA).

[bluestateboomer]

12. We need an Obama Legacy Project.

Just as the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project seeks to have his name on at least one notable public landmark in every county of the United states, we should work on the same thing for Barack Obama. It'll probably take some time, but the 134 is a start.

[diva77]

13. shameless self kick for article re: honoring Obama!!

[yuiyoshida]

15. K&R and Tweeted

[Hortensis]

18. I'm glad. I used to live up there and drove the Obama Freeway very often.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

19. i'll be super happy when the UCLA Medical Center...

- which was named the "Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center" in 2000 - is renamed for the president who helped to expand health care and not block Medicare with all the fervor he could muster in the 1960's. Reagan did send the national guard into the UCLA campus around 1970 to combat protesters. But that's about the extent of his connection in good faith with UCLA.

[calimary]

22. Too bad they couldn't rename the Simi Valley Freeway for President Obama.

At present, it's forced to bear the name of Ronald Reagan.

[diva77]

25. I wish they'd rename the large venues that have corporate names - turn the Staples Center into the

Obama Center!