What's happening
This bill designates part of State Route 104 in Lewiston, Niagara County as the "General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan Memorial Highway."
Why it matters
Honors a significant historical figure. Naming the highway after General William "Wild Bill" Donovan recognizes his legacy as a decorated World War I hero, head of the Office of Strategic Services (precursor to the CIA), and a notable figure from New York, reinforcing local and national history.
Boosts local identity and pride. The designation could foster a sense of pride within Lewiston and Niagara County, connecting residents to a figure of national importance with local roots, and potentially enhancing community cohesion and historical awareness.
Ceremonial impact without logistical disruption. The act specifies that the change is ceremonial only, meaning the official name and highway logistics (such as maps, addresses, and business registrations) remain unchanged, minimizing confusion or costs for local businesses and travelers.
Potential for increased tourism and education. The memorial naming might attract visitors interested in military history or the legacy of General Donovan, supporting local tourism and educational opportunities related to the area’s heritage.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Name Highway for Wild Bill
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 62
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.276
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.364
- Substituted for A10548
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.768
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Name Highway for Wild Bill
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Angelo J. Morinello
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7827
IN SENATE
March 1, 2018
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system as the "General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan Memorial Highway"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-h to read as follows:
§ 344-h. Portion of the state highway system to be designated as the "General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan Memorial Highway". All that portion of the state highway system constituting state route one hundred four in the town of Lewiston, county of Niagara, shall be designated and known as the "General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan Memorial Highway".
§ 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system as designated pursuant to section one of this act. However, to avoid confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the designation called for pursuant to section one of this act shall be one of ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be changed as a result of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14945-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to desig- nating a portion of the state highway system as the "General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan Memorial Highway"
Purpose
This legislation renames the section of state route 104 within the town of Lewiston as the General William Wild Bill Donovan Memorial Highway.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 renames the section of state route 104 within the town of Lewiston as the General William Wild Bill Donovan Memorial Highway.
Section 2 states that the commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signage. Further states that this name shall be ceremonial in nature.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
Born in Buffalo, General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan is the only Ameri- can to ever be awarded our four highest military awards, The Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal and the National Security Medal. A Decorated World War I veteran who is buried in Arlington Cemetery he is known as the Father of American Intelligence. During World War II he founded and led the Office of Stra- tegic Services- the predecessor of the CIA. Wild Bill is also a recipi- ent of the Silver Star and the Purple Heart, as well as many military honors from other nations earned as a result of his involvement in both World War I and World War II.
The section of road being renamed in his honor runs past Niagara Univer- sity where he studies pre-law as an undergraduate, where he considered being a priest but decided he "wasn't good enough to be a priest". Currently in Western New York there is nothing named after this great American, after the sale of Donovan State Office Building over a decade ago.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal. Just the cost of signage.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.