4053: ANALYSIS AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE (6-4-09)

ELGIE G. HANNA MEMORIAL HWY H.B. 4053: ANALYSIS AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
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House Bill 4053 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Mike Simpson
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation

Date Completed: 6-4-09

RATIONALE

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Home for Children is located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Only one former resident of the home, Elgie Hanna, was killed in action during the Vietnam war. Having graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1968, he went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Vietnam, where he died less than a month later. It has been suggested that a highway be named in honor of Elgie Hanna to commemorate his service to the country.

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate highway M-188 in Eaton County the "Elgie G. Hanna Memorial Highway".

MCL 250.1077

BACKGROUND The VFW National Home for Children was created in 1925 to care for the development, social, and spiritual needs of the children and families of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Consisting of 36 individual cottages, community center, health and education building, chapel, and other amenities, the National Home has provided housing and other services for over 2,000 children since its inception.

ARGUMENTS (Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

Supporting Argument The bill would commemorate the service of Elgie Hanna, renaming the highway between Eaton Rapids and the VFW National Home in his honor. The memorial highway would serve as a reminder of the sacrifice that Private Hanna made during the Vietnam war, and also would signal respect and appreciation for all veterans and their service to their country. The Eaton Rapids High School class of 1968 has said it would pay for the purchase of the highway sign.

Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4053/0910