Designates the bridge on state route 417, over Dodge creek, in the town of Portville, county of Cattaraugus, as the "Lieutenant Michael M. McGreevy, Jr. Memorial Bridge"

Title of bill

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system as the "Lieutenant Michael M. McGreevy, Jr. Memorial Bridge"

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to designate the bridge on State Route 417, over Dodge Creek, in the town of Portville, county of Cattaraugus, as the "Lieutenant Michael M. McGreevy, Jr. Memorial Bridge"

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends the highway law by adding a new section 344-e, which designates the bridge on State Route 417, crossing over Dodge Creek, in the town of Portville, county of Cattaraugus, as the "Lieutenant Michael M. McGreevy, Jr. Memorial Bridge"

Section 2: States that the commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway systems as designated pursuant to section 1 of this act. The designation will be for ceremonial purposes only, and the bridge's official name will not be changed as a result of this act.

Section 3: Sets forth the effective date.

Justification

Lieutenant Michael M. McGreevy resided in Portville since the age of 9 and went on to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland to pursue a stellar career in the U.S. Navy. After graduating from the Naval Academy, Lt. McGreevy began his career as a Surface Warfare Officer, and soon enrolled in Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training to become a Navy SEAL, and graduated as Honor Man of his BUD/S class in 2000. After serving in Africa as a part of SEAL Team 10, he deployed to Afghanistan in April of 2005.

Lt. McGreevy was part of a dedicated Naval Special Warfare team fighting the Taliban, a fundamentalist regime that a U.S.-led coalition knocked from power in Afghanistan in 2001, and continued to conduct guerilla operations, particularly along the Pakistan border. Lt. McGreevy worked to help ensure al Qaeda terrorists could not train in, nor launch strikes from Afghanistan since their lethal attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001.

On June 28, 2005, Lt. McGreevy, seven of his fellow Navy SEALS, eight Army NIGHT STALKER commandos, and the helicopter's crew were killed in action when their helicopter took significant enemy fire and crashed in the mountains of Afghanistan's Kunar Province while attempting a dangerous nighttime operation to reinforce and rescue a four man SEAL team that had been ambushed by Taliban forces.

For his service, Lt. McGreevy was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, posthumously. A highly decorated veteran, Lt. McGreevy was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2).

Lt. Michael M. McGreevy served his nation at the highest levels. We owe him, as we owe all of our veterans, a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Lt. McGreevy made the ultimate sacrifice in a brave attempt to bring his fellow brothers-in-arms home safely. Cattaraugus County has expressed their strong support for memorializing this bridge in his honor. It will express, in perpetuity, gratitude and a fitting tribute for his ultimate sacrifice.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.