2003











SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 03-012


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 State Veterans Center at Homelake, the Transportation Commission
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.





____________________________         ____________________________
John Andrews                                        Lola Spradley
PRESIDENT OF                                 SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
THE SENATE                                     OF REPRESENTATIVES






____________________________         ____________________________
Mona Heustis                                      Judith Rodrigue
SECRETARY OF                             CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
THE SENATE                                     OF REPRESENTATIVES