BILL REQ. #: S-0206.1
| State of Washington | 63rd Legislature | 2013 Regular Session |
TO THE HONORABLE PAULA HAMMOND, 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, The Purple Heart medal is the oldest military medal or
decoration presented by the United States to a member of the armed
services, dating to 1782 when General George Washington originally
created the medal as the Badge of Military Merit; and
WHEREAS, The Purple Heart medal is presented to those members of
the armed services who are wounded in combat or killed in action; and
WHEREAS, Since the commencement of World War II, the Purple Heart
medal has been presented to more than 500,000 members of the armed
services who have been killed in action, and to almost 1,000,000 men
and women wounded in combat; and
WHEREAS, A high percentage of those killed in action or wounded in
combat are or were residents of Washington State who served with
distinction; and
WHEREAS, The Purple Heart Trail is a symbolic and honorary system
of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that provide a tribute
to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal. The
Purple Heart Trail creates a visual reminder to those who use the
roads, highways, and bridges that others have paid a high price for
their freedom to live and travel in a free society;
NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the
Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name
Interstate 5 from the Canadian border to the Oregon state line the
"Purple Heart Trail" to honor the service and sacrifices of all who
have been killed in action or wounded in combat.
BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately
transmitted to the Honorable Paula Hammond, Secretary of
Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the
Washington State Department of Transportation.