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Committee names stretch of U.S. 16 for Marine Cpl. Seth Rasmussen
Summary
Senate File 141 to designate a portion of U.S. Highway 16 west of Buffalo as the U.S.M.C. Corporal Seth Rasmussen Memorial Highway and appropriate $3,000 for signage passed the committee 4-1.
The Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee approved Senate File 141 by a 4-1 vote to name a section of U.S. Highway 16 west of Buffalo the U.S.M.C. Corporal Seth Rasmussen Memorial Highway and to appropriate $3,000 to pay for signage.
Senator Barry Crago, the bill’s sponsor, said the family requested the designation for the stretch of U.S. 16 that climbs from Buffalo toward the Bighorn Mountains because of Seth Rasmussen’s ties to the outdoors and his home community. "Seth was a Wyoming native and grew up in Buffalo," Crago said, describing Rasmussen’s service in a Marine medium tiltrotor squadron and noting he flew 59 combat missions and earned six medals. Rasmussen died June 8, 2022, when the Osprey in which he was serving crashed during a training mission.
Family members and friends testified in support. Blaine Rasmussen, the soldier’s brother, described Seth’s connection to the Bighorn Mountains and asked the committee to approve the designation as a lasting tribute. "Let his name stand as a symbol of service and sacrifice so that future generations may know the story of a Wyoming boy who gave everything for his country," Blaine Rasmussen said.
Augie Wagner, a childhood friend and Marine Corps veteran, recounted growing up with Rasmussen and supported the honor. Bill Novotny, chairman of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, told the committee the stretch passes the Wyoming Veterans’ Home and called the designation appropriate.
Wyoming Department of Transportation chief engineer Keith Fulton, newly introduced to the committee, explained the department’s plan for signage: typically one sign at each end of the designated segment (one as drivers enter the county and one as they leave town). He said sign size varies by road and speed; past memorial signs have been as large as 8 feet by 4 feet on higher‑speed roads. Fulton said WYDOT would produce and maintain the signs in-house.
Senator Kolb announced he would vote against the measure, saying he objects to the legislative practice of naming many roads for individual people and worries the state could run out of highway names. He emphasized his opposition was procedural and not a reflection on the veteran’s service. The final roll call recorded four ayes and one no; the bill will move forward from committee.
