Salute: President Biden signs National Medal of Honor Highway Bill, long-sought goal of Bend veteran activist Dick Tobiason
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo celebrated Wednesday the passage of their bipartisan bill designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Ore. and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” -- accomplish the latest mission of Bend veterans activist Dick Tobiason.
"It’s fitting that our country’s longest continuous highway, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, is now dedicated to our veterans who have continuously served and protected our country from sea to shining sea,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified the National Medal of Honor Highway now stands as a timeless tribute to the heroes of Oregon and America who helped make this grassroots movement a reality.”
“Idaho’s veterans enrich our communities through service past and present. Medal of Honor recipients have acted well beyond the call of duty, and many continue to do so long after they leave military service,” said Crapo. “This 3,000-mile recognition ensures all Medal of Honor recipients are honored across 12 states for many years to come.”
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the President in Congress’ name. U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.
Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways, covering 100 percent of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America. The 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. Designating U.S. Highway 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway'' ensures all 3,516 recipients and any future recipients from all 50 states and territories are honored.
The legislation was supported by the Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
“As an Army combat veteran, I am heartened to see this bipartisan support honoring those who have served our country with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty,” said Dick Tobiason, LTC US Army Retired, Chairman, Bend Heroes Foundation. “I’m grateful to my project team of 12 Medal of Honor Highway managers who helped grow this grassroots effort, and to Senator Wyden who helped make our efforts to recognize America’s veteran heroes a reality.”
The text of the Senate bill is here and the House bill is here.
