Legislature Passes Bill Honoring Local Soldiers
April 26th, 2010
UPDATE - GOVERNOR BRAD HENRY SIGNED SENATE BILL 1713 INTO LAW ON THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2010; THE MEASURE TAKES EFFECT NOV. 1, 2010.
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill honoring three soldiers who died America’s War on Terror and three Oklahoma office holders who died in office is on its way to the governor’s desk.
The Legislature Monday gave final approval to Senate Bill 1713, written by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Samson Buck. The measure names three highways in southeastern Oklahoma in honor of Corporal Michael Eyre Thompson, Sergeant Clint E. Williams, and Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf. The three heroes all hailed from the Senate district Gumm serves.
“These men courageous served their nation, and paid the ultimate price,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “By naming sections of highways for each of them, we can help ensure they are always honored and remembered for that service and sacrifice.
“We all will be reminded that America is free only because of the sacrifice of men and women like these, individuals I like to call ‘angels in uniform.’”
When signed by the governor, a section of U.S Highway 70, beginning at the Marshall/Bryan county line to the Intersection of U.S. Highway 377 in Madill will become the “Corporal Michael Eyre Thompson memorial Highway.” U.S. Highway 377 from Madill south to the Oklahoma State line will be the “Sergeant Clint E. Williams Memorial Highway.” U.S. Highway 70 from the Bryan/Marshall county line east to the City of Durant limits becomes the “Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf Memorial Highway.”
Buck, D-Ardmore, included additional language in the bill to name a section of State Highway 77 in Carter County the “Three Hero Highway,” in memory of District Attorney Mitchell D. Sperry, Sheriff Harvey Burkhart and Representative Terry Hyman. The three officials served Carter County and died while in office.
SB 1713 directs the Department of Transportation to install permanent markers for soldiers and public servants designated in the measure. The law would take effect Nov. 1, 2010.