House Bill 5715, introduced by state Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), was voted out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. The bill would name the Highway M64 bridge over the Ontonagon River in Ontonagon Township the “Ontonagon County Veterans Memorial Bridge.”
“I am proud to do what I can in Lansing to honor the many men and women from our district who have bravely served our nation,” Dianda said. “Our veterans deserve to be recognized for their courage and contribution to this country, and it is an honor to make sure that happens.”
The bill was introduced in July following a recommendation from the Ontonagon County Veterans’ Association, which has been providing services to veterans and their families for 10 years. The naming would be a memorial to the many men and women from the county who served their country. Currently, there are roughly 1,000 veterans who live in Ontonagon County, which has a total population of 6,400 people. Many others lost their lives in conflicts dating back to the Civil War.
“I am thankful my colleagues in the Transportation Committee saw the importance of this tribute and decided to send it to the full House for consideration,” said Dianda. “And I am hopeful the rest of our Legislature will agree with the committee’s recommendation and officially designate the Ontonagon County Veterans Memorial Bridge.”