BILL NUMBER: S7380
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "Major Andrew D. Byers Memorial Highway"
 
PURPOSE OF BILL:
To designate a portion of State Route 324 in the Town of Clarence, Erie
County as the "Major Andrew D. Byers Memorial Highway".
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Designates a portion of State Route 324 in Erie County, as
the "Major Andrew D. Byers Memorial Highway." The section of the highway
begins at the intersection of State Route 324 and Transit Road and ends
at the intersection of State Route 324 and Main Street in the Town of
Clarence.
§ 2: The Commissioner of Transportation is responsible for installing
and maintaining appropriate signage, but the designation will be ceremo-
nial, meaning the highway's official name will not be changed.
§ 3: Identifies effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
A native of Clarence, New York, Major Andrew D. Byers was born on
September 2, 1986, to David and Rosemarie Byers, brother to Lindsay and
Lauren. A 2004 Graduate of Clarence High School, Byers followed his
dream to attend the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.
Byers graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 2008 and was commis-
sioned in the Infantry. He then commanded a rifle platoon in the 2nd
Infantry Division on a tour to Iraq. His first assignment after complet-
ing the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2014 was as Executive
Officer of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group. He then
assumed command of an Operational Detachment - Alpha on a deployment to
Chad. Major Byers was killed in action on November 3, 2016, during his
third deployment, while his unit was conducting operations with Afghan
allies in support of Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.