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, Mr. William P. Stewart (12/9/1839 – 12/11/1907) of Snohomish served bravely during the Civil War after he volunteered for service in the 29th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment; and

WHEREAS, That military unit suffered enormous losses during the war, with one out of three soldiers becoming casualties; and

WHEREAS, Stewart demonstrated tremendous courage and dedication to the cause of liberty by volunteering to serve as an African-American during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, Stewart served honorably during the closing days of the war and during its aftermath in Texas, where Stewart and his unit were deployed in response to instability in Mexico due to French intervention; and

WHEREAS, Stewart was a farmer before he volunteered for combat and a respected pioneer of the town of Snohomish after the war, but he and his fellow soldiers received little recognition for their bravery and sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Stewart married Elizabeth Thorton and became a highly respected pioneer in the city of Snohomish, where his house is still standing; and

WHEREAS, Stewart is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic cemetery in Snohomish along with two hundred other civil war veterans who founded the cemetery; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of Washington to finally recognize its citizens who volunteered and served bravely in the defense of our union;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name State Route Number 99 the "William P. Stewart Memorial Highway."

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

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