TO THE HONORABLE DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Thousands of United States military veterans live and work near and travel through the South Sound region on Interstate 5 (I-5); and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 593,350 veterans currently reside in Washington state; and

WHEREAS, According to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, there are 2.4 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Veterans from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Bangor Sub Base, Bremerton Naval Station, and others served honorably in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, some of whom died or were injured during the 14 to 16 years of ongoing operations there; and

WHEREAS, The Brown Farm Road Northeast bridge at exit 114 over I-5 is currently unnamed; and

WHEREAS, Signage in the vicinity of the bridge at exit 114 over I-5 would be a visible display of honor and gratitude for active duty, former, and retired veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and their families; and

WHEREAS, We recognize that these veterans protected our freedom with their duty, honor, and selfless service; and

WHEREAS, This signage would also serve as a reminder to motorists of the sacrifices made by service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard assigned to various military bases worldwide and in the Evergreen state; and

WHEREAS, This recognition is merely a small way of saying, "Thank you for your service";

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name the Brown Farm Road Northeast bridge at exit 114 over I-5, the "Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans Bridge," with permanent signage in the vicinity of the bridges.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, the Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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