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Committee approves naming bridge north of New Salem for Specialist Dennis "DJ" Ferderer Jr.
Summary
The House Transportation Committee gave House Bill 1173 a due-pass recommendation as amended to include the veteran's common name "DJ" in the sign text; sponsor Representative Dori Haug and family members described Ferderer’s life and service and the committee approved an amendment to include the nickname before forwarding the bill 13-0-1.
Bismarck — The House Transportation Committee advanced House Bill 1173, which would name the bridge on State Highway 31 north of New Salem for Army Specialist Dennis J. Ferderer Jr., commonly known to family and friends as "DJ." The committee approved an amendment to add "DJ" in quotations in the text and then gave the bill a due-pass recommendation as amended.
Representative Dori Haug introduced the bill and described Ferderer’s life: born in 1985, raised on a New Salem dairy farm, and enlisted in the Army during his senior year of high school. Haug said Specialist Ferderer died Nov. 2, 2005, during convoy operations in Iraq and is buried at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
John Ferger, Ferderer’s brother, spoke for the family and asked that the sign include the name "DJ," explaining that family and friends commonly knew him by that name. Committee members and DOT staff said the Department of Transportation typically works with families on sign wording, and DOT staff indicated adding nicknames was feasible. Representative Fraylick moved an amendment to insert DJ in quotation marks at the identified lines in the bill; Representative Koppelman seconded the amendment. The amendment passed by voice vote. Representative Fraylick then moved a due-pass recommendation as amended; Representative Johnson seconded. The clerk recorded a committee vote of 13 yes, 0 no, with 1 member absent.
Sponsors and family described the naming as a lasting community memorial; the family noted the bridge is on a route regularly used by local farmers and that the sign will provide a place for friends and classmates to remember Ferderer.
Notes: The bill text will be amended to include "DJ" in quotation marks at the specified lines before the bill is forwarded to the next stage.
