BILL NUMBER: S3037

SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "War Dog Memorial Bridge"

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Designates the bridge on state route ninety, crossing over state route
twenty-eight in the village of Herkimer, county of Herkimer, as the "War
Dog Memorial Bridge."

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the highway law by adding a new section 344-o, which
designates the bridge on state route ninety, crossing over state route
twenty-eight in the village of Herkimer, county of Herkimer, as the "War
Dog Memorial Bridge."

Section 2: States that the commissioner of transportation shall provide
              

for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway system as designated pursuant to section 1 of this act. The
designation will be for ceremonial purposes only, and the official name
of such bridge will not be changed as a result of this act.

Section 3: Effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

War dogs and their handlers play an influential role in keeping our
country and state safe. This bridge renaming will memorialize the life
of Sergeant Adam Cann and his dog, Bruno. Sergeant Cann died while on
his second tour of duty in Iraq on January 5th, 2006. He was posthumous-
ly awarded a Purple Heart for giving his life for his country. Bruno
survived the suicide bomber attack, and he went on to train many other
war dogs. Most notably, he trained Rex, another war canine. Rex's life
is memorialized in the movie "Meagan Leavey", a' film about the bond
between him and his Marine handler. The sacrifices of Sergeant Cann,
Bruno, and all other war dogs and handlers must not go unnoticed by the
people of New York and this Legislature. This bridge renaming will, in a
small way, ensure that New Yorkers never forget the price of freedom
paid by these men, women, and dogs.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

This legislation would effectively have no fiscal impact on state and
local governments. The New York State Department of Transportation would
be required to develop signage to mark the bridge.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.