AMEDORE BILL TO NAME HIGHWAY IN HONOR OF FALLEN ULSTER COUNTY SOLDIER MOVES THROUGH SENATE

The State Senate today passed Senator George Amedore’s legislation (S.6372) that would designate a portion of State Route 32 in Ulster County as the “Private First Class Douglas Cordo Memorial Highway.”

“PFC Cordo served our nation courageously, ultimately sacrificing his life on our behalf. This is a way to thank him for his service, his sacrifice, and show the appreciation of the all of the members of the community he loved,” said Senator Amedore.

The portion of highway to be designated begins at the intersection of State Route 32 and Route 9W in the City of Kingston and runs north to the intersection of State Route 32 and Route 9W in the town of Saugerties.

Private First Class Douglas L. Cordo was killed in action in August of 2011 when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit patrolled the Abul Province village of Shah Joy in Afghanistan. After graduation from Kingston High School in 2009, he briefly attended SUNY Ulster before joining the United States Army in March 2010. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and was deployed to Afghanistan for a yearlong tour in March 2011.

“Private First Class Douglas Cordo put duty, honor, and love of country above all else, and renaming this piece of highway in his memory will ensure that his legacy is remembered by all who drive it,” said Senator Amedore.

The request for the legislation came from PFC Cordo’s mother, Tracy Karson, and members of Rolling Thunder, Chapter 3 Street Memorial Program.

The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate and was sent to the Assembly for consideration, where it is sponsored by Assemblymember Kevin Cahill.

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