Committee advances multiple bills naming state highways in memory of local public servants and leaders

The committee heard a set of bills that designate state highways as memorial highways to honor local service members, law enforcement and community leaders.

Senator Adam Hinojosa laid out House Bill 1960, calling it "a simple bill naming after one of our fallen heroes" and explained that Lieutenant Milton Gabriel Resendiz of the San Benito Police Department was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 17, 2023; the sponsor said the measure honors his life and service.

Senator Hinojosa also described a designation for Army Specialist Clarence E. Sasser, noting Sasser received the Medal of Honor for actions in Vietnam and that a portion of Hampton Market Road in Brazoria County would be designated in his honor. The committee later considered House Bill 3642, a committee substitute that includes multiple designations: a portion of US Highway 83 in Eastland County as the Deputy Sheriff David Bosecker Memorial Highway, designations honoring Cecil and Dorothy Bell along US Highway 79 in Freestone and Leon Counties, and a designation honoring Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson on US Highway 67, among others.

Public testimony cards were filed by municipal police organizations and police associations and the committee took the items under advisement, ultimately adopting substitutes where applicable and reporting the bills favorably out of committee for placement on the local uncontested calendar.

Why it matters: the bills are ceremonial highway designations that memorialize individuals for their public service; committee advancement moves the designations to the next legislative step for formal placement on calendars and eventual passage.