FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07-18-12 600AM

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan has announced that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed Assembly Bill 1916 into law. The bill passed through both houses of the legislature with unanimous support.

AB 1916 authorizes the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an operating agreement with the nonprofit organization Save Mount Diablo to use volunteers and licensed professionals to rehabilitate the Eye of Diablo, the beacon atop Mt. Diablo in Mount Diablo State Park. The bill will take effect immediately.

“During these difficult budget times, it is critical that these types of public-private partnerships are encouraged whenever possible,” said Buchanan. “We all want the repairs to the beacon to move ahead swiftly and cost effectively. I know that Save Mount Diablo will be an exceptional partner for the parks department to work with on this project.”

For almost 50 years, the lighting of the Mt. Diablo Beacon has been the centerpiece of a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony every Dec. 7 hosted by Save Mount Diablo and the Sons & Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Recently, the beacon has fallen into deep disrepair and needs significant restoration before it will be ready for the ceremony this year. Save Mount Diablo has volunteered to raise funds needed for the repairs as well as organize volunteers.

“We are all thrilled that governor signed AB 1916 today,” said Ron Brown, executive director of Save Mount Diablo. “I want to move forward quickly to work out an agreement with the parks department that will address the important historical and mechanical issues, and still have the beacon be operational in time for the Dec. 7 ceremony.”

###