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Committee advances bill to name stretch of Montana 37 for Vietnam veteran Danny Lee Radish
Summary
The House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 545, which would name a portion of Montana 37 to honor Sgt. Danny Lee Radish for his combat valor and community service; MDT said two signs would cost about $3,300 and be covered from its operations budget.
The House Transportation Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 545, a measure to name a short section of Montana 37 in honor of veteran Danny Lee Radish.
Senator Mike Cuff, sponsor of the bill, opened the hearing with a personal account of Radish’s service and decorations, telling the committee about Radish’s repeated combat rescues in Vietnam and his decades of civic involvement. “The bill that I’m introducing is deserving of the best effort I can do,” Cuff said in his opening remarks, urging quick consideration.
Joanne Cuff testified as a proponent and described strong community support, noting Radish and his family were enthusiastic despite facing health challenges. John Swartz, maintenance administrator with the Montana Department of Transportation, provided logistical details: “The highway, in question is Montana 37,” and the section identified runs roughly 3.2 miles southwest from the junction with US 93; Swartz estimated the cost to erect two dedication signs at about $3,300, to be paid from MDT’s existing operational budget.
Major General J. Peter Hronek of the Montana National Guard appeared online as an informational witness and outlined the Silver Star’s vetting process, saying the record of Radish’s award is recognized in Department of Defense systems. Hronek described the multi-step nomination, review and legal checks that support high-level awards.
There were no recorded opponents, and the committee closed the hearing and later voted to concur on the bill in executive action; the committee’s roll call on the concurrence recorded a unanimous committee vote to send the measure to the House floor.
The committee record shows MDT will cover sign costs from existing funds and that the dedication location is adjacent to the Tobacco Valley Cemetery near Eureka. The next steps are second reading on the House floor and whatever scheduling that floor action requires.
