Overview:
Ohio House Bill No. 56, introduced by Representative Ray, proposes the designation of a specific segment of State Route 421 in Medina County as the “CPL David James Amheiser Memorial Highway.” The bill aims to honor CPL David James Amheiser by naming a portion of the state highway after him.
Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
- Legislative Action for Memorial Designation: The primary purpose of this bill is to enact a new section within the Ohio Revised Code (specifically section 5534.013) to officially designate a portion of a state highway with a memorial name. This highlights the legislature’s role in recognizing individuals through symbolic naming of public infrastructure.
- Specific Highway and Location: The bill clearly identifies the specific section of State Route 421 to be designated. It states:
- “the eastbound and westbound lanes of state route number four hundred twenty-one between United States route forty-two and Lodi road, in Medina county, shall be known as the ‘CPL David James Amheiser Memorial Highway.’” This precise description ensures clarity regarding the exact location being honored.
- Honoring CPL David James Amheiser: The proposed name, “CPL David James Amheiser Memorial Highway,” explicitly indicates that the designation is intended as a memorial to honor an individual named CPL David James Amheiser. The bill itself does not provide biographical details about CPL Amheiser, but the title clearly signifies a tribute to a corporal (CPL) with that name.
- Authorization for Signage: The bill grants the Director of Transportation the authority to erect markers indicating the new name of the highway segment:
- “The director of transportation may erect suitable markers along the highway indicating its name.” This provision ensures that the public will be aware of the memorial designation through official signage along the designated route. The use of “may erect” suggests this is permissive rather than mandatory, allowing the Director some discretion in the implementation.
- Non-Exclusive Naming: The bill clarifies that the proposed memorial name is in addition to any other existing names or designations for that section of highway:
- “In addition to any other name prescribed in the Revised Code or otherwise…” This acknowledges that the highway may already have a numerical designation (State Route 421) and potentially other informal or local names. The memorial designation will be a supplementary name.
Quotes from the Source:
- “the eastbound and westbound lanes of state route number four hundred twenty-one between United States route forty-two and Lodi road, in Medina county, shall be known as the ‘CPL David James Amheiser Memorial Highway.’”
- “The director of transportation may erect suitable markers along the highway indicating its name.”
- “In addition to any other name prescribed in the Revised Code or otherwise…”
Conclusion:
House Bill No. 56 is a straightforward piece of legislation focused on honoring CPL David James Amheiser through the designation of a portion of State Route 421 in Medina County as the “CPL David James Amheiser Memorial Highway.” The bill clearly defines the specific highway segment, authorizes the Director of Transportation to erect appropriate signage, and clarifies that this memorial name is in addition to any existing designations. The bill itself does not elaborate on the life or service of CPL Amheiser, suggesting that this background information may be known to the bill’s sponsor and supporters or will be brought forth during the legislative process. The passage of this bill would serve as a formal recognition and lasting tribute to CPL David James Amheiser within his community.