BILL NUMBER: S9764

SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system in Kings county as the "Fort Hamilton Veterans
Memorial Highway"

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill honors the legacy of the many brave men and women from the
Fort Hamilton area of Kings County who have served this country at home
and abroad. It also pays respect to the historic United States Military
presence in the Borough of Brooklyn which includes both Fort Hamilton
and once included the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

SECTION 1 DESIGNATES THE PORTION OF INTERSTATE 278 IN KINGS COUNTY AS
THE "Fort Hamilton VETERANS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY."

              

SECTION 2 PROVIDES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL PROVIDE
FOR APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE AND MAINTENANCE THEREOF, AND THAT ANY DESIG-
NATION REFLECTED IN THE SIGNAGE SHALL BE PURELY CEREMONIAL SO AS TO
AVOID CONFUSION AND DISRUPTION OF COMMERCE.

SECTION 3 STATES THAT THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Fort Hamilton is currently the only active military installation in the
City of New York. This area has a rich history. In the American Revo-
lution and the War of 1812, coastal defense in the southwestern corner
of Brooklyn proved instrumental to the war efforts against the British
Navy. The fort served as the nation's first National Guard training camp
and later contributed to the military careers of Generals Robert E. Lee,
Stonewall Jackson, and Abner Doubleday, as well as providing troops to
quell the draft riots of 1863. Fort Hamilton currently serves as the
headquarters of New York City Recruiting Battalion, the North Atlantic
Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, and many Army Reserve and New
York Army National Guard Units.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a site of construction for one of Robert
Fulton's steamships and near to the site of construction the nation's
first ironclad ship, the Monitor, and the launch site for Maine. It was
central to US efforts in World War 2, having benefitted from the Works
Progress Administration, and produced the battleship Missouri, on board
which Japan surrendered in addition to the nation's first angle-decked
aircraft carrier.

Both Fort Hamilton and The Brooklyn Naval Yards are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The historic contributions of
Brooklyn to American defenses and military power must be acknowledged
and welcomed. Brooklyn's veterans, as with veterans elsewhere, are
worthy of public recognition and by visitors and residents for the dedi-
cation and sacrifices they have made on behalf of all Americans.  This
highway designation would take a step toward recognizing Brooklyn's
service members and their contributions to our nation's values.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR S ATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

The cost of installation and maintenance of adequate signage to the New
York State Department of Transportation.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.