KOREAN WAR VETS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY - H.B. 5637: FIRST ANALYSIS
House Bill 5637 (as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Mike Pumford
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 6-26-02
RATIONALE
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. In an effort to contain communism, President Truman deployed troops to the region, and, by July 1, the Korean War was under way. By the time the United States, North Korea, and China signed an armistice on July 27, 1953, 33,665 American soldiers were dead, 92,134 had been wounded, and 7,140 had become prisoners of war.
Recently, veterans of the Korean War launched an official three-year period of recognition in order to identify, thank, and honor those who fought. On June 25, 2000, the 50th Commemoration of the Korean War officially began. To date, events have included the placement of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery and the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., symposia, dinners, and awards ceremonies. In addition, the Inchon Landing was re-enacted in Norfolk, Virginia, as well as in Inchon, Korea. In Michigan, the American Legion Post in Newaygo County has requested that Korean War veterans from that area be honored by the commemoration of an 18-mile portion of a local highway.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to name the portion of Highway M-82 beginning at the City of Newaygo in Newaygo County and extending east to Howard City in Montcalm County the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway".
Proposed MCL 250.1085
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
It is fitting that the State recognize the almost 1.8 million American veterans who served in Korea at great personal cost. In designating public works in the memory of veterans, the State keeps citizens mindful about the horrors of war, and the importance of an unrelenting effort to seek peaceful solutions to global problems. While the Act dedicates portions of highways to veterans of other wars, and to all veterans, it does not include the dedication of any roadways specifically to Korean War veterans. The portion of M-82 named under the bill would be the first to memorialize this group of veterans.
- Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. All costs associated with signage would be borne by private contributions received by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
- Fiscal Analyst: Craig ThielH0102\s5637a
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.