Senate Bill S5610

                                BILL NUMBER:S5610

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the highway law, in relation to designating portions of the
state highway system as the "Corporal
Jason Dunham Memorial Bridge" and the
"Corporal
Jason Dunham Memorial
Highway"

PURPOSE:
Designates the portion of State Route 19, also known as Transit Hill
Road, constituting bridge identification number 1061660, in the Town
of Amity, County of Allegany, as the "Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial
Bridge" and State Route 19, in the Town of Amity, County of Allegany,
as the "Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial Highway."

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Adds two new sections, 343-kk and 342-mm to the highway law.
Section 343-kk of the highway law would designate the portion of State
Route 19, also known as Transit Hill Road, constituting bridge number
1061660, in the Town of Amity, County of Allegany, as the" Corporal
Jason Dunham Memorial Bridge."

              

Section 342-mm of the highway law would designate the portion of
State Route
19, also known as Transit Hill Road, within the Town of Amity, County
of Allegany, as the "Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial Highway."

Section 2. Provides that the Commissioner of the Department of
Transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of
adequate signage reflecting the ceremonial designation of the bridge
as the "Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial Bridge" and the portion of
State Route 19 located in the Town of Amity, County of Allegany, as
the "Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial Highway."

Section 3. States the enactment date.

JUSTIFICATION:
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham enlisted
in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Scio Central
School in Allegany County in 2000.

Corporal Dunham made the decision to re-enlist for a second tour with
the Marines to stay with his men and "make sure everyone makes it
home alive." During his second tour he was serving as Rifle Squad
Leader, 4th Platoon, Kilo Company, Third Battalion, in Iraq.

True to his word, Corporal Dunham saved the lives of two fellow
Marines in Karbala, Iraq on April 14, 2004 when he used his Kevlar
helmet and body to shield his fellow marines from a live grenade.
Corporal Dunham died April 22, 2004, at 22 years old, from the
devastating injuries he sustained while performing this heroic and
selfless act.


By acting instinctively, without regard to personal injury, Corporal
Dunham embodied the bravery and class that has made the United States
Armed Forces the most respected in the world.

A decorated officer, Corporal Jason Dunham was awarded the
congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest honor for military
valor, posthumously. He was the first Marine to receive this award
for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He was also awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct
Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal
with one Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and
the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

His life story, and act of heroic sacrifice was further memorialized
by author Michael M. Phillips, in "The Gift of Valor."

The Navy, in recognition of Corporal Dunham's courageous act,
officially named the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile
destroyer DDG-109 the USS Jason Dunham.

Corporal Dunham was a true hero in every sense of the word - a person
to admire, look up to, and emulate, a Marine who led by example. This
bill would memorialize State Route 19 in the Town of Amity, County of
Allegany, which leads directly into Corporal Jason Dunham's hometown
of Scio, New York and the bridge on State Route 19 in Town of Amity,
County of Allegany, which crosses over Interstate 86 in remembrance
of his unwavering devotion to the protection of human life, even at
the cost of his own.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.