Brief Description: Naming portions of Highways 112 and 113 the Korean War Veteran's Blue Star Memorial Highway.

Sponsors: Representatives Kessler and VanDeWege.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/08/07, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/20/07, 3/21/07 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Clements, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer and Pflug.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: Under current practice, the Washington Transportation Commission is responsible for naming state transportation facilities. Community support is measured, historically, through a memorial adopted by the Legislature.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature requests that the Washington Transportation Commission name Highway 113 in Clallam County, between the junction of Highway 101 and the junction of Highway 112, and Highway 112 from the junction of Highway 113 to the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay, the "Korean War Veteran's Blue Star Memorial Highway(s)."

The memorial recognizes the sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces in the Korean War in its message to the Secretary of Transportation, to the Washington Transportation Commission, and to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This renaming will honor all men and women who served in the Korean War and also educate others about the Korean War. Those who served in the Korean War suffered great hardships and deserve recognition through this memorial.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Kessler, prime sponsor; Gerald Retiela, Korean War Veteran's Association, Chapter 310.