HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-62 - Recognizing May 26 as John Wayne DayRESOLUTION NO. 2016-62
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOGNIZING
MAY 26 AS JOHN WAYNE DAY
WHEREAS, John Wayne was the consummate American hero, symbolizing self-
reliance, an exemplary work ethic, grace under pressure, resolve, grit and patriotism;
WHEREAS, born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa,
he moved with his parents as a young boy to California; in 1916, while the family was
living in Glendale, the nickname "Duke" was bestowed upon him and stuck the rest of
his life;
WHEREAS, in 1925, he began attending the University of Southern California on
a football scholarship, playing offensive lineman, and was a member of the Sigma Chi
Fraternity; after sustaining a shoulder injury from a bodysurfing accident near the
Balboa Pier just prior to his junior year, he withdrew from the university and began
working at Fox Film Corporation as a laborer moving set props and as an occasional
extra in movies;
WHEREAS, while working at the studio, he met Wyatt Earp, who was a
consultant to Western film director John Ford, and he would adopt some of Earp's
mannerisms for his roles as a cowboy;
WHEREAS, the first film in which he had a leading role, "The Big Trail" (1930),
led to his name being changed to "John Wayne," a moniker he would use for the
remainder of his acting career;
WHEREAS, starring in classic Western films such as "Stagecoach," "Red River,"
"The Searchers," and "True Grit," Wayne personified the archetypal cowboy who is
rough -edged and plainspoken, but also capable of great bravery, warmth, kindness, and
generosity; he won an Oscar in 1970 for Best Actor for his role as Rooster Cogburn in
"True Grit";
WHEREAS, in "The Alamo," his first film as a director, John Wayne played the
role of Davy Crockett; the film won an Oscar nomination in 1961 for Best Picture;
Wayne also directed and starred in a Vietnam -based movie, "The Green Berets," which
was released in 1968;
WHEREAS, Wayne was an avid supporter of the United States military and
toured bases and hospitals throughout the South Pacific in 1943 and 1944 with the
United Service Organizations (USO) and visited American troops fighting in Vietnam in
the 1960's; he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1979, engraved with the
words "John Wayne, American" encapsulating his entire life;
Resolution No. 2016-62
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, John Wayne moved to a bayfront home in Newport Beach in the
1960s and was one of Newport Beach's most famous residents; he loved the area and
was known as a regular guy around town, frequently hosting other Hollywood
personalities and other important visitors to the area. His beloved yacht, the Wild
Goose, a converted Navy minesweeper now owned and operated by Hornblower
Yachts, is available for tours and charters to share Newport Beach with its visitors;
WHEREAS, in 1968, the University of Southern California established The John
Wayne Scholarship Fund in his honor; and, upon his passing, in 1979, the John Wayne
airport located in Orange County then named Orange County Airport, was renamed
John Wayne Airport in honor of his achievements and influence, and a nine -foot -tall
statute of him was raised at John Wayne Airport;
WHEREAS, John Wayne was laid to rest in 1979 at Pacific View Memorial Park
in Corona del Mar with a western -theme plaque depicting a cowboy on horseback;
WHEREAS, John Wayne was a founder and supporter of the John Wayne
Cancer Institute, which went on to develop many innovations in cancer research and
treatment. Such innovations include the sentinel node biopsy technique—an established
best practice today;
WHEREAS, John Wayne's Foundation continues its legacy of fighting cancer
through its continued support to more than 150 John Wayne Alumni surgical oncologists
practicing throughout the country, caring for more than 100,000 patients each year;
WHEREAS, John Wayne's love for Newport Beach inspired the creation of the
foundation's skin cancer prevention program, Block The Blaze, which started with the
Junior Lifeguards in Newport Beach and has now expanded to eight states and has
cumulatively educated nearly 200,000 youth in sun safety and melanoma prevention;
WHEREAS, every day, John Wayne's name continues to inspire individuals to
join him in the fight against cancer and his quest to find a cure; and
WHEREAS, John Wayne was inducted into the California Hall of Fame by then
Governor Schwarzenegger in 2007.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as
follows:
Section 1: The City Council hereby recognizes every May 26 as John Wayne
Day in the City of Newport Beach.
Section 2: The recitals provided in this resolution are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this resolution.
Resolution No. 2016-62
Page 3 of 3
Section 3: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
resolution is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not
affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this resolution. The
City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 4: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution and the
recognition of May 26 as John Wayne Day is not subject to the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a
direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and
15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting this resolution.
ADOPTED this 241h day of May, 2016.
ATTEST:
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
Waw .
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk �,�'\
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the
whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing resolution, being Resolution
No. 2016-62 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by the City Council of said City at a
regular meeting of said Council, duly and regularly held on the 20 day of May, 2016, and that the same
was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Member Peotter, Council Member Duffield, Council Member Selich,
Council Member Curry, Council Member Petros, Mayor Pro Tem Muldoon,
Mayor Dixon
NAYS: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 1 have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of
said City this 25th day of May, 2016.
Lzm'� 'S hvm-��-
Leilani I. Brown, MMC
City Clerk
Newport Beach, California
(Seal)