2016 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 16-032 BY SENATOR(S) Marble, Aguilar, Baumgardner, Carroll, Cooke, Crowder, Donovan, Garcia, Grantham, Guzman, Heath, Hill, Hodge, Holbert, Jahn, Johnston, Jones, Kefalas, Kerr, Lambert, Lundberg, Martinez Humenik, Merrifield, Neville T., Newell, Roberts, Scheffel, Scott, Sonnenberg, Steadman, Tate, Todd, Woods, Cadman; also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Buck, Arndt, Becker J., Becker K., Brown, Buckner, Carver, Conti, Coram, Court, Danielson, DelGrosso, Dore, Duran, Esgar, Everett, Fields, Foote, Garnett, Ginal, Hamner, Humphrey, Joshi, Kagan, Klingenschmitt, Kraft-Tharp, Landgraf, Lawrence, Lebsock, Lee, Leonard, Lontine, Lundeen, McCann, Melton, Mitsch Bush, Moreno, Navarro, Neville P., Nordberg, Pabon, Pettersen, Primavera, Priola, Rankin, Ransom, Rosenthal, Roupe, Ryden, Saine, Salazar, Sias, Singer, Thurlow, Tyler, Van Winkle, Vigil, Willett, Williams, Wilson, Windholz, Winter, Wist, Young, Hullinghorst. CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF THE OVERPASS ACROSS UNITED STATES INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 25 AT KECHTER ROAD IN FORT COLLINS AS THE "BUCHANAN LIBERTY BRIDGE". WHEREAS, Sergeant Thomas "Tom" Buchanan, a Marine and Colorado citizen, departed this life on March 5, 2016, at the age of 63; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 24, 1952, and spent his childhood in Saint Claire Shores, Michigan; and WHEREAS, In 1970, Sergeant Buchanan joined the United States Marine Corp and was trained at the School of Ground Radio Repair at 29 Palms, and subsequently stationed at Camp Pendleton during his years of active service; and WHEREAS, Following his discharge in 1973, Sergeant Buchanan relocated to Colorado in 1980 where he worked and raised his family of ten children with his wife of 27 years; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan was an active veteran and member of his community and was known for his humility, positive attitude, and great care for his friends and neighbors; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan was instrumental in forming the Loveland Marine Corps League Detachment in 2006, for which he was promoted to and served as the League Commandant for two years and was serving as Paymaster at the time of his death; and WHEREAS, Among the many volunteer duties of the Loveland Marine Corps League Detachment, Sergeant Buchanan assisted in the collection of more than 10,000 worn American flags for proper disposal, the care and maintenance of the military canon in Dwayne Webster Veterans Park, and the planning of several local parades and fundraisers; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan was one of the proud "Veterans Day Bell Ringers" of Loveland, Colorado, ringing the bells of freedom as has been done since 1918 and representing his city as a recognized regional site and model community for the observance of Veterans Day by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan also orchestrated the singing of "God Bless America" at local events, so much so that it became his "trademark" in the community; and WHEREAS, For his efforts, Sergeant Buchanan was awarded Detachment Marine of the Year in 2009; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan assisted veterans and others to become and remain sober through Alcoholics Anonymous, helping anyone who called no matter what time of day or night, and for which many people attributed Sergeant Buchanan to having saved their lives; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan was resolute in his commitment to his local community, including his successful efforts alongside other community members to save a row of majestic pine trees lining a stretch of Highway 34 previously slated for removal as part of a road expansion project; and WHEREAS, As a proud veteran, Sergeant Buchanan was dedicated to assisting active duty families and wounded warriors; participating in memorial services and dedications; and orchestrating the display and waving of American flags on the Kechter Overpass on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Buchanan was a community leader, a true patriot, and dedicated his life to service, and it is fitting that he be recognized for his service to our nation; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventieth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein: (1) That the overpass across United States Interstate Highway 25 at Kechter Road in Fort Collins be designated as the "Buchanan Liberty Bridge"; (2) That the Colorado Department of Transportation may accept and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of the initial placement of signs to mark the overpass as the "Buchanan Liberty Bridge"; and (3) That the Colorado Department of Transportation may explore a cooperative agreement with the Board of County Commissioners for Larimer County for the maintenance of the markings for the "Buchanan Liberty Bridge". Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to Sergeant Buchanan's sons Andy Brinsfield, Thomas Buchanan, Jr., Bryan Brinsfield, Steve Buchanan, Neil Buchanan, and Sam Buchanan; his daughters Angela Varra, Richelle Chappell, Dori‚ Buchanan, Mary Jo Buchanan; friends Nancy Macudzinski, Cathy Blake, Rose Gagnon, Timmy Jo Given, Joe Lehan, Danny Lehan, David Lehan, and Solomon Martinez; the Loveland Marine Corps League Detachment #1250; and the Board of County Commissioners of Larimer County. ____________________________ ____________________________ Bill L. Cadman Dickey Lee Hullinghorst PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES ____________________________ ____________________________ Effie Ameen Marilyn Eddins SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES