MICHIGAN DESERT STORM VETERANS

MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

House Bill 4577 as referred to second committee

Sponsor:  Rep. Ben Frederick

1st Committee:  Transportation

2nd Committee:  Ways and Means

Complete to 1-21-20

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4577 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of highway M-52 in Shiawassee County that extends from the southern city limit of the city of Owosso to the northern city limit of the city of Perry as the “Michigan Desert Storm Veterans Memorial Highway.”

Proposed MCL 250.2092

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Kuwait. United States President George H.W. Bush immediately condemned the invasion, and on November 29, 1990, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of “all necessary means” of force against Iraq if it did not withdraw. Early on the morning of January 17, 1991, the Persian Gulf War began with a massive United States air offensive known as Operation Desert Storm. 

From the first warning message sent by the United States Forces Command that tensions were escalating in the Persian Gulf region until the last troops were released in January 1992, approximately 1,638 Michigan service members were deployed all over the world. They supported United Nations operations to restore the Republic of Kuwait to its original borders.

Several Michigan National Guard units participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, or both. Among them were the following:

·         207th Evacuation Hospital, Detroit

·         Headquarters, 210th MP Battalion, Detroit

·         1776th MP Company, Detroit

·         1439th Engineer Detachment, Grayling

·         1440th Engineer Detachment, Grayling

·         745th Ordnance Detachment, Grayling

·         1073rd Maintenance Company, Greenville

·         1461st Transportation Company, Jackson

·         1009th Transportation Detachment, Lansing

·         460th Service and Support Company, Midland

·         144th MP Company, Owosso

·         Headquarters, 146th MP Battalion, Owosso

·         1072nd Maintenance Company, Sturgis, Coldwater, Lansing

Dedicating a portion of highway M-52 as the Michigan Desert Storm Veterans Memorial Highway would be an appropriate way to honor the service and sacrifice of Michigan’s service members who served during this conflict.

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.

POSITION:

The Michigan Department of Transportation indicated a neutral position on the bill.          (12-3-19)

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                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.