California Looks At Naming SoCal Freeway For Obama

LOS ANGELES, CA — A resolution to name a segment of the Ventura (134) Freeway near Occidental College after Barack Obama, who attended the school for several years, is set to be heard by the state Senate's Appropriations Committee a week from Monday.

SCR 8, co-authored by Sen. Anthony J. Portantino, a Democrat from La Canada Flintridge, recently was passed by the Senate Transportation Committee.

The 134 Freeway between the Glendale (2) and Foothill (210) freeways would be designated the "President Barack H. Obama Freeway."

The 44th president began his college education in California, attending Occidental College in Eagle Rock from 1979 to 1981. He lived in Pasadena during his sophomore year, where he traveled the 134 Freeway from his apartment to the campus.

"I am excited by the support this appropriate freeway naming has garnered in Sacramento and across California," Portantino said. "President Obama left office with significantly high approval ratings for his eight terrific years of service to our country. President Obama's leadership and years as a District 25 resident played a significant role in determining his future and tremendous legacy."

He said he was "very grateful to the residents of my district for suggesting the idea for naming the 134 for our former president."

Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, whose district includes Eagle Rock, is a principal co-author on the resolution.

By City News Service

Photo: U.S. President Barack Obama waves to reporters after returning to the White House on board Marine One Sept. 3, 2015. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images)