MADISON, Wis. (WRCO/WRCE) – A bill approved Wednesday by the Wisconsin Senate would designate State Highway 80 as a memorial highway for military veterans.
2023 Senate Bill 249 would make Highway 80 the Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial
Highway.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Sens. Joan Ballweg, Mary Felzkowski, Jesse James, Howard Marklein, Stephen Nass, Mark Spreitzer, Lena Taylor, Patrick Testin and Van Wanggaard. The bill is also co-sponsored by 33 members of the Assembly, or one-third of that part of the legislature. Registering in support of the bill was the American Legion Department of Wisconsin.
S.B. 249 would instruct the Wis. Department of Transportation to make Highway 80 a living memorial to and in honor of all Wisconsin veterans, living and dead, of both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. Signs would be placed along the highway, which begins at Highway 10 in the Town of Cameron near Marshfield and travels almost due south to the Wisconsin-Illinois State line near Hazel Green.
Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Tony Kurtz testified in favor of the bill. The bill unanimously passed the Committee on Transportation and Local Government.
The DOT said that it could absorb the costs of placing highway markers into its budget.
The highway is about 175 miles long and passes through Wood, Juneau, Vernon, Richland, Grant and Iowa counties, including municipalities such as Pittsville, Necedah, New Lisbon, Elroy, Union Center, Hillsboro, Richland Center, Muscoda, Cobb, Montfort, Platteville and Hazel Green.
You can read the full bill text on the Wisconsin State Legislature website.
More Articles
Civic Media’s “Truth Booth” to Capture the Voices of Wausau at the Fair
7/26/2024 | Teri Barr
Local residents can share their stories about life in the Wausau area and record them for posterity during the Wisconsin Valley Fair.
Eight Area School Districts Receive $206K for Technical Education Upgrades
7/26/2024 | Stuart J. Wattles
The funding aims to prepare approximately 2,000 students for quality jobs
Eau Claire Officials Respond to Removal of Wilson Park Benches
7/26/2024 | James Kelly
Eau Claire City Council members are asking questions this week after all of the benches and picnic tables were removed from Wilson Park.
Aviation enthusiasts flock to EAA AirVenture
7/26/2024 | Lisa M. Hale
People from all over the globe are a part of the largest fly-in in the world, EAA AirVenture 2024.
8th Congressional District Republican candidates debate
7/26/2024 | Lisa M. Hale
-The Republican candidates in the 8th Congressional District race participated in a debate sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturer’s & Commerce (WMC). The WMC is the combined state chamber and manufacturer’s association.