San Francisco History Association endorses SCR 193, "Emperor Norton Tunnel" naming resolution
Hello, there.
THE EMPEROR NORTON TRUST is delighted to announce that the San Francisco History Association has submitted to the California state legislature a letter in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 193.
This resolution, introduced last week by California State Senator Scott Wiener and co-authored by California State Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, would designate the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge tunnel through Yerba Buena Island, S.F., as the
EMPEROR NORTON TUNNEL
The Emperor Norton Trust is the citizen sponsor of SCR 193.
Details, including the letter, are in our announcement here.
The Emperor Norton Trust is honored by the support of the San Francisco History Association for SCR 193, a legislative resolution that traces its origins to the “Emperor Norton Tunnel” naming proposal that the Trust authored and published in August 2025.
The SFHA endorsement follows earlier endorsements from:
- San Francisco Historical Society
- Imperial Council of San Francisco
- Chinese Historical Society of America
- Treasure Island Museum
- Freedom From Religion Foundation (SF Bay Chapter)
- California Lodge No. 1 of Free and Accepted Masons
The addition of this letter from the San Francisco History Association further strengthens and clarifies the broad support that the "Emperor Norton Tunnel" naming resolution enjoys from the San Francisco history community — and will make it that much easier for Senator Wiener to make the strongest possible case to his colleagues in the California state legislature.
The Trust looks forward to working with the San Francisco Historical Society to make the Emperor Norton Tunnel a reality.
:: :: ::
HOW YOU CAN HELP...
In order to succeed, SCR 193 must pass a series of FOUR votes in the state legislature.
The first of these votes is TOMORROW — Tuesday 11 August — in the Senate Transportation Committee (members).
If the measure passes this committee, it moves to a floor vote of the full Senate.
If it fails in this committee, it dies there.
1
If you are a California resident...
Please email your state Senator and Assemblyperson TODAY urging them to co-author SCR 193.
Our Action Guide will get you started.
2
If you represent a California organization that wishes to endorse SCR 193...
Please write to me at john@EmperorNortonTrust.org
Cheers!
JOHN LUMEA
The Emperor Norton Trust