Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL DRIVE
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5434 as enacted Analysis available at
Public Act 125 of 2024 http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Rep. Carol Glanville
House Committee: Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure
Senate Committee: Veterans and Emergency Services
Complete to 10-7-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5434 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate highway M-11 in
Kent County, from 3 Mile Road to the bridge over the Grand River, as the “Korean War
Veterans Memorial Drive.”
MCL 250.1114
BACKGROUND:
North Korea’s invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950, led to our nation’s second
mobilization within a decade (the first, of course, being World War Two). Between 1950 and
1955, 6.8 million American men and women served in the armed forces worldwide. 1 The
conflict ended roughly 70 years ago, and the number of living veterans has been increasingly
declining. In 2000, there were just under 4 million Korean War veterans nationwide, with about
128,000 making Michigan their home. In 2020, those figures were about 1.3 million and
41,000, respectively. By 2030, the Korean War veteran population is projected to fall below
200,000 nationally, and in Michigan below 4,000. Designating a portion of highway M-11 in
Kent County as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Drive would be an appropriate and timely
way to honor these veterans’ sacrifice, dedication, and service.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act indicates that the state transportation
department shall provide for the erection of suitable markers indicating the name of the
highway only “when sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the cost
of erecting and maintaining those markers.” As a result, the bill has no state or local fiscal
impact.
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: William E. Hamilton
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
1
In addition to the many Michiganders who volunteered or were conscripted into service, 26 Michigan Army and Air
National Guard units were called to active military service during the war. Three Michigan National Guard units were
awarded battle participation credits. All three squadrons of the 127th Fighter Wing, Michigan Air National Guard,
were federalized in 1951. The remaining federalized Michigan Army and Air National Guard units served in the
United States, but some of their officers and men were transferred to units that eventually saw service in Korea.
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 1


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 250.1001, 250.2092
As Passed by the House: 250.1001, 250.2092
As Passed by the Senate: 250.1001, 250.2092
House Concurred Bill: 250.1001, 250.2092
Public Act: 250.1001, 250.2092
House Enrolled Bill: 250.1001, 250.2092