Senator Portantino authored Senate Resolution 8 which designated the CA-134 Highway between the Glendale CA-2 and the Interstate 210, the “President Barack H. Obama Highway” last year. According to the resolution, which passed the legislature with bi-partisan support, the signs must be purchased by private funds. The Pasadena Community Foundation offered to be the fiscal agent for the fundraising and joined in co-hosting the event.
“I am ecstatic to have been in the position to author this important and appropriate highway naming. When people from across the country began offering money to pay for the signs, I wanted to make sure that our community had the opportunity to take ownership of the project. I hope folks will join us at this event to raise the money needed to honor and respect a man who brought dignity to the office of the President. President Obama has strong ties to our neighborhood and we can install these signs to respect the man and his connection to Southern California,” commented Senator Portantino.
President Obama lived in Pasadena while he attended Occidental College. He has often credited his time there as playing a major role in determining his successful future. The signs will cost approximately $6,000 – $7,000 to create and install. As mentioned above, the Pasadena Community Foundation will shepherd the fundraising and then issue the necessary amount directly to Caltrans.
