OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

REP. HUFFMAN CARRIES BILL DESIGNATING U.S. 97 AS

‘WORLD WAR II VETERANS HISTORIC HIGHWAY’

SALEM—Rep. John Huffman (R-The Dalles) successfully carried a bill on the House Floor today to establish an honorary designation of U.S. 97 as World War II Veterans Historic Highway.  Senate Bill 449 recognizes the service, sacrifice and dedication of Oregon WWII veterans, and educates and informs local communities and travelers about the highway’s role during the war.

“From Biggs to the California border, U.S. 97 connected eight military training sites that prepared Americans for World War II,” Rep. Huffman said. “With World War II veterans passing each day, this is an important time to honor these citizen-soldiers with this honorary designation.”

Rep. Huffman said 10,400 Oregonians from the six counties along U.S. 97 served in the war, with 261 making the ultimate sacrifice to liberate Europe and the Pacific theater.  SB 449 honors those Oregonians, and all Americans who served in the war.

“SB 449 will educate local citizens and tourists about historic World War II sites along the highway, including the largest military training exercise in the Pacific Northwest that involved 100,000 soldiers,” Rep. Huffman said. “The designation will inform future generations about the highway’s history, and about the men and women who served to protect our freedom and liberty.”

SB 449 does not use taxpayer dollars for the installation and maintenance of designation markers, but enables the Oregon Department of Transportation to accept donations and

enter into agreements with veterans and other groups to create, install and maintain the markers.

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