By US Congressman Cliff Bentz,
Press release,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – I am glad to share that this week, U.S. Route 20, the nation’s longest road stretching from Newport, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, will be officially designated as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” under legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The 12 states along US Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War.

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the President in Congress’ name. This section of U.S. Route 20 will honor 29 Medal of Honor recipients connected with Oregon who acted with “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his life” during combat with an enemy of the United States thus receiving our nation’s highest award for military valor during 8 wars over a 108-year period.

I was honored to support this effort and am even more gratified to have my House colleague’s support to pass it in the House this week.

I would also like to mention a Central Oregon Veteran, Dick Tobiason, who set out on a mission 11 years ago to name Highway 20 in honor of our Medal of Honor Veterans. Tobiason is the chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation, which he founded in 2010 with his son. Bend Heroes Foundation has been coordinating the designation of 11 more state Medal of Highways and has led the charge in getting U.S. Route 20 designated in Congress. Dick Tobiason has made it his life’s work to ensure that Veterans and their families get the recognition they deserve. His lifetime of service and dedication to the Oregon Veteran community have been instrumental in bringing this recognition to fruition. I salute his efforts, his tenacity, and his relentless advocacy on behalf of Oregon Veterans and their families.