| Press Release |
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| July 15, 2009 |
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Governor signs bill designating U.S. 97 "World War II Veterans Historic Highway"
Designation honors WW II Veterans and communities along US 97 where eight military training sites were located during the war
(Bend) - Today Governor Ted Kulongoski was joined by Oregon’s only surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient in Bend, Oregon to sign Senate Bill 449, which establishes an honorary designation of U.S. Highway 97 and portions of State Highway 126 in Oregon be known as “World War II Veterans Historic Highway”.
“We are here to celebrate the dedication of a highway that served as a vital link for the men and women of World War II,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski. “It will be a living symbol of our state and our values and honor the service, sacrifice and dedication of Oregon World War II veterans.”
During World War II (WWII), U.S. Highway 97, which runs north-south from Biggs on the Columbia River to the Oregon-California line along the east side of the Cascade Mountains, was used by the U.S. military to strategically position eight military training sites. These sites included U.S. Army Camp Rufus, U.S. Army Air Field Madras, Prineville Civilian Pilot Training, U.S. Army Air Field Redmond, Bend Civilian Pilot Training, U.S. Army Camp Abbot, U.S. Marine Corps Barracks & Hospital Klamath Falls, and Naval Air Station Klamath Falls.
“This designation honors the Band of Brothers – the trainers, the troops, and all the men and women involved in helping our nation prepare for battle during World War II,” continued the Governor. “And it honors the vital role of central Oregon and communities along U.S. 97 where during WW II military training sites were established, ensuring our soldiers were adequately prepared.”
The largest military training exercise in the Pacific Northwest during WWII, known as “Oregon Maneuver,” involved more than 100,000 citizen-soldiers directly impacting six counties along U.S. 97. Approximately sixteen million Americans served in WWII, including 10,400 Oregonians from the six rural counties along the route.
The measure prohibits the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) from using public funds for the installation and maintenance of the markers; however, it allows ODOT to accept moneys and to enter into agreements with veterans and other groups to create, install and maintain the markers. The measure does not change the existing official name, maps, addresses or other designations of U.S. 97.
Eleven other states have implemented similar legislation memorializing WWII and Pearl Harbor: California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
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