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Minutes for SB19 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Designating a portion of United States highway 77 as the CPL Allen E Oatney and SP4 Gene A Myers memorial highway.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 24, 2021
Chairman Petersen opened the hearing on SB19.
Assistant Revisor Adam Siebers reviewed the bill by identifying the portion of US Highway 77 in Marshall County to be designated as the CPL. Allen E. Oatney and SP4. Gene A. Myers memorial highway. He noted the current highway, the Prairie Parkway, would become unnamed for this section (Attachment 3).
Representative Lisa Moser voiced the importance of recognizing the service and sacrifice made by these two young men who served in South Vietnam during the war. She made reference to the funding for signs on the highway as being supported by the American Legion through private donations (Attachment 4).
Senator Elaine Bowers traced the history for naming a portion of US Highway 77, which began in 2019 with a request from the commanders of the American Legion Posts 169 and 332. The Committee passed (2020) SB288 on February 18, 2020, but due to the early closure of the legislative session, it did not come out of committee. She noted that SB19 is currently worthy of consideration for acknowledging the service of CPL. Allen E. Oatney and SP4. Gene A. Myers by designating this portion of US Highway 77 (Attachment 5).
Jerry Zayas spoke in support of SB19 as a veteran who knows the importance of keeping alive the memories of those who have served in the Armed Forces. He noted the endorsement of the Valley Heights School District, the cities of Blue Rapids and Waterville, and Marshall County Commissioners (Attachment 6).
Janet Zayas spoke about the need to pass on the awareness about our service members to generations of citizens to come. She noted that this highway passes in front of the Unified Schools in Blue Rapids and Waterville, Kansas (Attachment 7). Ms. Zayas said the community will value this memorial honoring the sacrifice made by two of their citizens.
Written testimony of personal recognition was submitted by Dave Blatt, Pineville, Pennsylvania (Attachment 8).
The hearing on SB19 was closed.
