Rep. Huffman: Honoring Vets with Three Highways
By Taxpayer Association of Oregon Foundation
Three highways in Oregon have become Veterans Memorial Highways. The bill, HB 2036, sponsored by Representative John Huffman (R-District 59) and 18 others, was signed into law on May 21.
US Hwy 395 was designated as the World War I Veterans Memorial Hwy to honor the 44,200 Oregonians who served during that war. About 1,100 of these became war casualties.
I-5 was designated as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Hwy and the Purple Heart Trail. About 60,000 Oregonians served during this war; 298 died or were identified as Missing in Action.
US Hwy 101 was designated as the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Veterans Memorial Hwy. About 54,000 Oregonians served during these wars; 148 died. There are approximately 74,500 Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq war veterans currently living in Oregon.
The Department of Transportation will place and maintain suitable markers along each highway. Public funds won’t be used; Oregon’s veterans have agreed to pay for the cost of the program.
State Representative John Huffman stated, “It’s truly a privilege to be a part of this process. Honoring our veterans with signs along Oregon highways is one of the most rewarding things I have accomplished in the Oregon Legislature.”HB 2036 passed unanimously through the House and Senate chamber with no opposition.
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