Bill Text: NJ S3005 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Designates Harter Road Interchange of Interstate Highway Route 287 as "Warren E. Wilhide Interchange."

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-08-29 - Approved P.L.2023, c.152. [S3005 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-S3005-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3005

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  ANTHONY M. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris and Somerset)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates Harter Road Interchange of Interstate Highway Route 287 as "Warren E. Wilhide Interchange."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Transportation Committee on January 12, 2023, with amendments.

  

An Act designating the Harter Road Interchange of Interstate Highway Route 287 in the Township of Morris as the "Warren E. Wilhide Interchange."

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

Whereas, Warren E. Wilhide Sr., a man known for his compassion and service, was a long-time resident of Morris Township, New Jersey; and

Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who enjoyed serving others, Mr. Wilhide began his career in service in 1950 by serving the country as a member in ¹the¹ United States Army, where he was stationed at the Chunchon air base in South Korea providing supplies to the front lines during the Korean War; and

Whereas, As a veteran of a war that represented a difficult period in American history, where ¹,¹ in three years ¹,¹ thousands of American soldiers died, were wounded in action, or designated as missing in action, Mr. Wilhide was always cognizant of the important role that soldiers played in American history and cataloged his experience during the Korean War with his photography; and

Whereas, After his tour of duty in Korea, Mr. Wilhide returned to the United States to serve in an anti-aircraft battery defending the White House and the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.; and

Whereas, Following his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Mr. Wilhide attended Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering, from which he graduated and received his diploma from President Dwight D. Eisenhower at his graduation ceremony in 1958; and

Whereas, Eventually settling in New Jersey and starting his own business, Mr. Wilhide lived in Morris County for over 50 years with his wife and children; and

Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who enjoyed serving others, Mr. Wilhide volunteered in Haiti as a part of a relief group following an earthquake, in Morocco at the Children's Hospital, and in Tanzania as a math and science teacher to children living near Mt. Kilimanjaro, as well as reading for persons with disabilities; and

Whereas, As an active member of Korean War Veterans Association, Inc., Mr. Wilhide was invited to South Korea with his fellow veterans for the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War, and it was at these events that Mr. Wilhide received various honors for his service and his donation of his photography chronicling the Korean War to Sejong University; and

Whereas, Mr. Wilhide was integral in the initiatives to designate Interstate Highway Route 287 as the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway" in 1995, to provide additional designations on the highway for distinguished service members from the State in 1998, and for the continued maintenance of the highway with Korean and American flags; and

Whereas, On November 19, 2020, after living a life full of service and compassion, Mr. Wilhide passed away, but his memory and legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow veterans; and

Whereas, In honor of his service to the country, the veteran community, and mankind, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature to honor the memory of Warren E. Wilhide Sr. by designating the portion of Interstate Highway Route 287, known as the Harter Road Interchange and located in Morris Township as the "Warren E. Wilhide Interchange"; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of Interstate Highway Route 287, known as the Harter Road Interchange and located at milepost 34.02, in the Township of Morris in Morris County as the "Warren E. Wilhide Interchange" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

 

     2.  State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions.  Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs. 

 

     3.  This act shall take effect immediately.