Kelly-led legislation to designate U.S. Route 20 as "National Medal of Honor Highway" signed into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On December 17, 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law legislation led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) to designate U.S. Route 20 as the National Medal of Honor Highway.

In the 16th Congressional District, U.S. Route 20 runs through Erie County. U.S. Route 20 runs coast-to-coast from Massachusetts to Oregon. This follows passage in the U.S. House in December 2024 after legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Route 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways.

"This bipartisan, bicameral legislation honors the extraordinary sacrifice, courage, and devotion exhibited by every single Medal of Honor recipient," said Rep. Kelly. "We owe them a debt we can never repay. Designating this highway is just one way and we can cement their legacy in American history."

You can watch Rep. Kelly's recent speech on the House floor about the legislation here.


BACKGROUND

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress’ name. U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal. 

Redesignating U.S. Highway 20 — the longest continuous highway in the United States — as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” would honor each state’s current and future Medal of Honor recipients and recipients from any state who travel on it. 

Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways covering 100 percent of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America. The 12 states along U.S. Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,519 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. Designating U.S. Highway 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway'' would ensure all recipients and any future recipients from all 50 states and territories are honored.
 
The legislation is supported by the Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States.