Crapo, Risch, Wyden Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) applaud Senate passage of bipartisan legislation designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Oregon, and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.”

“The Medal of Honor represents the determination and courage of those who acted far beyond the call of duty,” said Crapo.  “I look forward to the enactment of law cementing this national designation to honor each of them across these many miles.”

“Medal of Honor recipients’ selfless actions deserve more than a medal—they deserve America’s continued gratitude,” said Risch.  “To recognize their service to our nation, the Senate today designated U.S. Highway 20, which spans the great state of Idaho, as a 3,000-mile memorial to the recipients of our nation’s highest military designation.  The House should quickly pass this legislation, so we can rename the longest continuous highway in America the National Medal of Honor Highway.”

"It's an honor to have worked closely with veterans in Oregon and nationwide in the grassroots movement to designate our country's longest continuous highway, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway,’” said Wyden.  “I’m proud that my bill to officially recognize U.S. Highway 20 as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway’ has passed the Senate.

This bill is more than a symbolic gesture—it's a timeless tribute to the heroes of America. I am steadfast in my commitment to relentlessly champion this cause alongside our veterans, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to get this bill signed into law.”

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress’ name.  U.S. servicemembers who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal. 

Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways covering 100 percent of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America.  The 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War.  Designating U.S. Highway 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway'' would ensure all 3,516 recipients and any future recipients from all 50 states and territories are honored.

Senators Jeff Merkley, (D-Oregon), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Jon Tester (D-Montana), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) cosponsored the Senate version of the bill.  U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) and Brian Higgins (D-New York) led similar legislation in the House of Representatives.

The legislation is supported by the Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The bill text is available here.