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Minutes for SB291 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Designating a portion of United States highway 36 as the World War I veteran's memorial highway.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 1, 2018
Chairperson Petersen opened the hearing on this bill. Scott Wells, Revisor's Office, gave a briefing on this bill which would extend the World War I Veteran's Memorial Highway currently in Smith County from the east city limits of Washington to the Colorado state line on US-36.
Senator Goddard asked Mr. Wells for the total mileage, who responded that will be answered during testimony. Senator Hardy asked whether, once the stretch of highway is named, is the designation good for perpetuity? Mr. Wells said essentially yes, the designation continues until someone else would like to carve a part of the highway for a particular group. The World War I Veteran's Memorial Highway could cease to exist.
Senator Bowers gave proponent testimony (Attachment 1). For some time, she had questioned why the small 30-mile stretch of Highway 36 in Smith County was the only World War I Memorial Highway in Kansas. It was found that in 2006, Highway 36 in Smith County was named in honor of A. F. "Jud" Wagner who then was the oldest living (106 years old) World War I veteran. The veterans, American Legion, and VFW would like to have the highway naming include 270 miles on US-36. Senator Bowers added that Pat Hewitt, Deputy Sheriff in Phillips County and Commander for District 6 of The American Legion, Department of Kansas, is raising the funds for the signage.
Gregg Burden, Director, Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs, gave supporting testimony (Attachment 2). It is believed this bill will provide the recognition, acknowledgement, and appreciation of the World War I veterans.
Mr. Pat Hewitt gave proponent testimony (Attachment 3). The road honors one million U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen,and marines who served in the war zone, including 5,200 Kansas veterans. He said The American Legion would appreciate the Committee members' support of this bill to extend the Memorial Highway to encompass 270 miles of Highway 36.
Mr. Hewitt introduced Jimmie Foster, Department Adjutant for The American Legion Department of Kansas. Mr. Foster provided proponent testimony (Attachment 4) and echoed the comments made by the speakers. The American Legion celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2019. It was organized by attendees at the Paris Caucus in March 1919. Passing this bill at this time would be very appropriate. The amount of $3,000 will be raised for signage on the highway. He stated World War I servicemen put their footprint there, and the extension of this highway naming honors all. Chairperson Petersen expressed his appreciation for The American Legion raising funds for all the other highway signage honoring veterans associated with memorial highways that have been established.
Senator Goddard is a member of The American Legion and thanked Mr. Foster for his service. He added not only World War I veterans but other veteran groups are due the recognition.
Written proponent testimony (Attachment 5) was furnished by Paul Kallman, President, US 36 Highway Association, Inc.
There was no opponent or neutral testimony. The hearing was closed.
