Inaugurating the National Veterans Highway

Earlier this year, the State Legislature approved a bill (S.6277-A/A.9939-A) designating all of State Route 62 in New York State as the National Veterans Highway.  The measure was signed into law by Governor David Paterson on July 30, 2010.

Yesterday afternoon, Senator George Maziarz joined two local veterans in unveiling a brown highway sign erected by the New York State Department of Transportation which marks the starting point of the National Veterans Highway at the intersection of Routes 104 and 62 in the City of Niagara Falls.

“We can never say ‘thank you’ to our veterans enough,” Senator Maziarz said.  “Route 62 stretches all the way across this great country—the country our veterans have served and defended so well.  This road is dedicated to all veterans of all wars in all parts of the country.  We hope this special designation will be conferred in other states so that every mile of Route 62 becomes a full part of the National Veterans Highway.”

Joining Senator Maziarz yesterday were Doug Woolley of Niagara Falls, the Commandant of the Lt. Bobo Detachment of the Marine Corps League, and Bob Reed of the Sons of the American Legion Post 880 in Eden, New York.

The legislation enjoyed broad, bipartisan support in the Legislature, and was approved unanimously.  Senator Maziarz was one of the bill’s several cosponsors from Western New York.

A second highway sign marking the National Veterans Highway has been erected on Route 62 near the New York-Pennsylvania border and will be dedicated in the spring.

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