By SENATOR(S) Entz, Anderson, Andrews, Arnold, Cairns, Chlouber, Dyer, Evans, Fitz-Gerald,
Gordon, Grossman, Hagedorn, Hanna, Hillman, Isgar, Johnson S., Jones, Keller, Kester, Lamborn, Linkhart,
May R., McElhany, Nichol, Owen, Phillips, Reeves, Sandoval, Takis, Tapia, Tate, Taylor, Teck, tupa, and
Windels;
also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Salazar, Berry, Briggs, Butcher, Cadman, Carroll, Cloer, Decker,
Frangas, Fritz, Garcia, Hoppe, Jahn, Johnson R., King, Larson, Madden, May M., Merrifield, Miller,
Paccione, Ragsdale, Rippy, Romanoff, Rose, Schultheis, Sinclair, Smith, Spence, Spradley, Stafford,
Stengel, Tochtrop, Vigil, Weddig, Weissmann, White, Wiens, and Williams S.
CONCERNING EXTENDING THE NAMING OF THE "KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"
WHEREAS, On June 25, 1950, Communist North Korea crossed over the 38th parallel and
invaded South Korea with approximately 135,000 troops, thereby initiating the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, The combined efforts of American military personnel and the international
coalition of forces involved in the war were able to drive the North Korean armies back across the 38th
parallel, ensuring freedom for the people of South Korea; and
WHEREAS, Casualties of the United States during the Korean War included 54,260 deaths,
33,665 of which occurred in battle; 92,134 wounded; and 8,176 listed as missing in action or prisoners of
war; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 5,720,000 Colorado and United States citizens served in all
branches of the United States Armed Forces during the Korean War and committed to fighting the spread of
communism in Korea and throughout the world and protecting the ideals of democracy; and
WHEREAS, These men and women served their country with honor and dignity in the Korean War
and the legacy of their courage and selfless sacrifice should be remembered; and
WHEREAS, The Korean War is often called "The Forgotten War" because many of our nation's
Korean War veterans have not been recognized and honored for their service to our country; and
WHEREAS, The 38th parallel crosses US Highway 285 and State Highway 17 in southern
Colorado near the town of Moffat; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 02-019, portions of US Highway 285 and State
Highway 17 are named in memory of Korean War veterans, which serves to recognize and honor their
contributions to our country; and
WHEREAS, Expanding the portions of the highway named the "Korean War Veterans Memorial
Highway" will enable the 2 parallel portions of the highway to connect, and will enable the "Korean War
Veterans Memorial Highway" to encompass one continuous route; and
WHEREAS, According to Policy 803.0 established by the Transportation Commission of the
State of Colorado and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, federal rule 2D-49, the General
Assembly of Colorado by resolution may designate a component of the state highway system in honor of the
Korean War veterans; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-fourth General Assembly of the State of
Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
(1) That the portion of US Highway 285 beginning at Saguache and ending at the
intersection of US Highway 285 and State Highway 17, and the portion of US Highway 285 beginning at Monte
Vista and ending at Alamosa, shall be included as part of the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway" in
honor of the men and women who served in the Korean War;
(2) That the Colorado Department of Transportation may accept and expend gifts, grants,
donations, and federal funds for the purposes of the initial placement of signs to mark the additional
designated sections of US Highway 285 and State Highway 17 as the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway";
(3) That 4 signs mark the designated sections of US Highway 285 and State Highway 17 and
an additional sign marks the location of the 38th parallel where it intersects either US Highway 285 or
State Highway 17; and
(4) That the Colorado Department of Transportation may explore a cooperative agreement
with the Commissioners of Alamosa County, Rio Grande County, and Saguache County for the maintenance of
the markings for the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway".
Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to Manuel
Trujillo, District Commander of the VFW, the State Commander of the VFW, Patricio R. Mascarenas, District
Commander of the DAV, the State Commander of the DAV, Charles Sumner, Commandant of the San Luis Valley
Marine Corps League Detachment, the Commandant of the Marine Corps League for the Department of Colorado,
Chuck Cooper, District Commander of the American Legion District #9, Naamon Owens, Commander of the
American Legion for the Department of Colorado, and to the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, the
Colorado Department of Transportation, the Alamosa County Board of Commissioners, the Rio Grande County
Board of Commissioners, the Saguache County Board of Commissioners, and the Governor of Colorado.
(signed) John Andrews, President of the Senate; Lola Spradley, Speaker of the House of
Representatives; Mona Heustis, Secretary of the Senate; Judith Rodrigue, chief clerk of the House of
Representatives
