Kaptur Led Legislation Renaming US Route 20 As “National Medal of Honor Highway” Passes House, Heads To President’s Desk To Be Signed Into LawPress Release

Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation which would designate United States Route 20 in the States of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts as the "National Medal of Honor Highway." The legislation was led by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16) in the House and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) in the Senate. This stretch of US Route 20 passes through Northern Ohio and towns and cities in Ohio's 9th Congressional District including Pioneer, Fayette, Toledo, Maumee, Perrysburg, Woodville, Fremont, and Clyde. In all, US Route 20 stretches across 260 miles in Ohio. The legislation which previously passed the Senate on December 19, 2023 will now head to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"Renaming US Route 20 as the National Medal of Honor Highway is an important step to recognize and memorialize the contribution of those who have earned the highest honor our armed forces have to offer," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "I was honored to support this effort at the state level in Ohio, and am even more gratified to have my House colleague's support to pass it in the House today. Three hundred thirty-one Ohioans have been awarded the Medal of Honor, several of whom hail from communities along US Route 20. With this bill's passage, I know Northern Ohio - from Williams to Ashtabula County - will join the nation in paying tribute to the valor of its Medal of Honor recipients. It was an honor to help lead this legislation. I look forward to it being signed into law by the President."

Redesignating US Highway 20 - the longest continuous highway in the United States - as the "National Medal of Honor Highway" will honor each state's current and future Medal of Honor recipients and recipients from any state who travel it. Jacob Parrott of Kenton, Ohio was the first Medal of Honor recipient for his role as a Union soldier in the Civil War operation known as Andrew's Raid. Ultimately, 22 soldiers who volunteered for the Andrews Raid of April, 1862 were honored including William J. Knight who was captured in the Raid and later escaped. Knight was awarded the Medal of Honor in September, 1863 and lived the rest of his life in Williams County.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress' name. US service members 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 US 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 US Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. Designating US 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.

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

A full copy of the legislation renaming US Route 20 as "The National Medal of Honor Highway" can be found by clicking here. A link to previous press release issued when the bill was introduced with additional quotes from other lawmakers and supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.

# # #