Shenango Valley News

On December 9, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) to designate U.S. Route 20 as the National Medal of Honor Highway. The bipartisan legislation has already passed the Senate and is now awaiting President Biden's signature.

U.S. Route 20, which spans from Massachusetts to Oregon, passes through Erie County in the 16th Congressional District. This recent approval follows similar actions by legislatures and governors in all 12 states along the highway, who have designated their portions as state Medal of Honor Highways.

“This designation covers more than 3,000 miles through Erie County and along U.S. Route 20, America’s longest highway," stated Rep. Kelly. "By designating U.S. Route 20 as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway,’ we commemorate all 3,519 recipients of the award, both living and passed.” He expressed hope that travelers would reflect on the sacrifices made by Medal of Honor recipients: “We owe them a debt we can never repay.”

The Medal of Honor is awarded for valor above and beyond the call of duty by service members who demonstrate exceptional gallantry at great personal risk.

Renaming U.S. Highway 20 aims to honor current and future Medal of Honor recipients across all states who travel this route. All twelve states along its path have committed to recognizing these heroes through their own state designations.

Support for this initiative comes from several organizations including Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Medal of Honor Historical Society.