Helena — The House Transportation Committee voted to concur in Senate Bill 59 on a voice vote Friday, moving a measure to name the Highway 37 bridge over the Kootenai River in Lincoln County for Staff Sergeant Arthur J. Rambo.

The bill drew extended, personal testimony from Rambo family members and longtime friends and veterans groups who described Rambo’s life, military service and the Silver Star citation he received posthumously for actions on Nov. 26, 1969. Major General J. Peter Hronick, adjutant general for the Montana National Guard, described the Silver Star as a stringently vetted award and confirmed the Department of Defense records recognizing Rambo’s decoration.

The testimony was offered by family members including Mandy Rambo (speaking in a personal capacity), Amy Christiansen (Rambo’s daughter), Dan Rambo (brother) and Patty Rambo (sister), along with friends and veterans including Tony Smith and Mark Roscoe. Mandy Rambo told the committee she appeared “in my personal capacity” and urged the legislature to advance the bill. Major General Hronick said, “The Silver Star medal is the 3rd highest military decoration for valor in combat awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.”

Department of Transportation Director Chris Dorington told the committee there is a fiscal note of $6,000 for the state’s revenue/expenditure side and that “we will absorb the cost.” Veterans’ organizations and local VFW Post 1548 provided letters and in-person endorsements during the hearing.

Senator Mike Cuff, sponsor of the bill, closed by describing the effort to move the bill quickly through the Legislature and urged the committee to take positive executive action. He told the panel, “That will put it to the committee report to the floor Monday, 2nd reading, Tuesday, 3rd reading, Wednesday. Governor will sign it Thursday morning.”

House Transportation moved to executive action at the close of the hearing. Vice Chair Wirth moved concurrence in Senate Bill 59; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. Committee staff reported that Representatives Sullivan and Fitzpatrick registered aye votes by proxy. The committee declared that Senate Bill 59 “has been concurred in” and planned to transmit the report to the floor.

The hearing record included family letters and roughly 200 statements of support that the sponsor said would be provided separately to committee members for review prior to executive action. No opponents registered in the hearing, and no amendments were offered during committee consideration.

If concurred and passed by both chambers, the measure would produce a formal bridge designation; the transcript and witnesses explained that the assignment of signage and the modest associated costs would be managed by the Montana Department of Transportation.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 59 — Concurred in by the House Transportation Committee (voice vote). Committee secretary reported Representatives Sullivan and Fitzpatrick voted aye by proxy. No roll-call tally provided in the committee record.