BILL NUMBER: S40A
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to dedicating a portion of
the state highway system to War Dogs
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Creates the "War Dog Memorial Highway".
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-p to
read as follows:
§ 343-p. All that portion of the state highway system constituting state
route 28 in the village of Herkimer, county of Herkimer, beg inning at
the intersection of state route 28 and Canal Access Road, continuing in
a generally northerly direction, and terminating at the intersection of
state route 28 and state route 5, shall be dedicated to "War Dogs".
§ 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installa-
tion and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system as
designated pursuant to section one of this act. However, to avoid
confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the desig-
nation called for pursuant to section one of this act shall be one of
ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be
changed as a result of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
War dogs and their handlers play an influential role in keeping our
country and state safe. This bridge renaming will memorialize the life
of Sergeant Adam Cann and his dog, Bruno. Sergeant Cann died while on
his second tour of duty in Iraq on January 5th, 2006. He was posthumous-
ly awarded a Purple Heart for giving his life for his country. Bruno
survived the suicide bomber attack, and he went on to train many other
war dogs. Most notably, he trained Rex, another war canine. Rex's life
is memorialized in the movie "Meagan Leavey", a film about the bond
between him and his Marine handler. The sacrifices of Sergeant Cann,
Bruno, and all other war dogs and handlers must not go unnoticed by the
people of New York and this Legislature. This bridge renaming will, in
a small way, ensure that New Yorkers never forget the price of freedom
paid by these men, women, and dogs.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A4941-A/S3037A (2023): Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
This legislation would effectively have no fiscal impact on state and
local governments. The New York State Department of Transportation would
be required to develop signage to mark the bridge.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.