Read first time 01/21/13.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     TO THE HONORABLE LYNN PETERSON, 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 Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.