SPC ROBERT FRIESE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
House Bill 5394 as enacted
Public Act 115 of 2018
Sponsor: Rep. Jason Wentworth
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 6-29-18
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5394 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate Business Route 127 in Clare County as the “SPC Robert Friese Memorial Highway.”
Proposed MCL 250.1009b
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Robert Michael Friese was born in Clare, Michigan in 1989. He graduated from Harrison High School in 2007. Since he was 8 years old, he dreamed of joining the Army. Robert joined the military in May 2009 as an M1 armor crewman. He deployed in support of Operation New Dawn in September 2010. During his time as an enlisted service member, PFC Friese earned the Army Achievement, National Defense Service, Iraq Campaign (with campaign star), and Global War on Terrorism Service medals, plus the Army Service and Overseas Service ribbons.
On April 29, 2011, PFC Robert Friese died of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade in Al Qadisiyah Province, Iraq. He was 21 years old. PFC Friese was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and promoted to the rank of Specialist. Designating a portion of Route 127 in Clare County recognizes his service to his community and the state and honors his sacrifice for our country.
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.
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.