In the ongoing guessing game I play every day as to who and what will be the first thing to make me tear up, I gotta admit that the California State Assembly wasn't high on my list of predictions. But, they came in strong and played a good game, and I'll be damned if they didn't eke some saltwater out of me right at the buzzer. They did it by unanimously approving a resolution to dedicate a California tunnel to the late Robin Williams, as it's a landmark that was once part of the comedian's daily commute. Seriously — tears are streaming down my face.
Currently, the California landmark is known as the Waldo Tunnel, and was named after a man named William Waldo who ran for Governor of California in 1853 (but was defeated). The tunnel has a rainbow painted along it, arching over the road, and connects Marin County with San Francisco.
Cue an immediate drop in the belly as I go through my daily process of remembering that this amazing man is no longer with us, followed by a slight lift when I tell you that the wheels are in motion to rename the tunnel after Williams in an effort to honor his memory. The idea began as a petition, which gained over 60,000 signatures, and was brought as a resolution to the State Assembly's Transportation Committee in December, where it passed 16-0. Thursday, it was brought to the State Assembly at large, where it passed again — this time 76-0. The bill will now move on to the State Senate, where it will almost certainly pass again.
At this rate, hopefully sometime soon, California residents can be driving back and forth through the Williams Tunnel, remembering a very special person who I think would've been delighted to be honored this way.
I'm not crying, you're crying.
Image: Giphy
