Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and State Sen. Peter Harckham today announced the passage of legislation in the New York State Assembly and Senate to designate a portion of State Route 35 in Westchester County in honor of the region’s Purple Heart recipients. The stretch was chosen for its proximity to Lasdon Park, home of the Trail of Honor, making it a fitting location to pay tribute to the brave service members who were wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Millions of New Yorkers travel daily on a highway system built by the Greatest Generation, many of whom also served our nation in uniform. This legislation honors that legacy by recognizing the Purple Heart recipients who sacrificed so much for our freedom, in a place where their courage will be seen and remembered by all who pass through.

“There are few honors more sacred than the Purple Heart, a symbol of the immense sacrifice made by our nation’s heroes,” said Assemblyman Slater. “This dedication assures that Westchester’s Purple Heart recipients are forever remembered. I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation in the Assembly and thank Sen. Harckham for championing it in the Senate.”

“It’s essential that we honor and respect the veterans who have bravely defended our nation,” said Senator Harckham. “Dedicating this section of Route 35 to Westchester County’s Purple Heart recipients, one of the highest honors in our military, is a meaningful way to recognize those who have given so much in service to our country. I look forward to Governor Hochul signing this legislation, so this dedication can stand as a lasting symbol of their courage, resilience, and patriotism. As a community, we remain forever grateful for their sacrifice and unwavering in our support. I want to thank Assemblymember Matt Slater for his partnership in making this tribute possible.”

Eugene Lang, a Somers resident, Purple Heart recipient and member of Purple Heart Chapter 21 said, “I am so glad to see this project get done. Neil Gross and I have worked hard to honor our fellow Purple Heart recipients, and I am so thankful for everyone involved, especially Assemblyman Slater and Senator Harckham.”

Somers Town Supervisor Rob Scorrano said, “Designating a stretch of Route 35 in the Town of Somers as the New York State Purple Heart Memorial Highway is a profoundly fitting tribute to the men and women who have borne the wounds of service. Each time someone travels this road, they’ll be reminded of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of our Purple Heart recipients. We are grateful to the bill’s sponsors, veterans’ advocates, and community leaders for ensuring that the heroism of these individuals is honored in such a visible and lasting way.”

Assemblyman Matt Slater represents the 94th Assembly District, which includes parts of Putnam and Westchester counties, including the towns of Kent, Patterson, Putnam Valley, Carmel, Southeast, Somers and Yorktown, as well as the village of Brewster.

Pete Harckham represents the 40th Senate District, which includes the towns of Carmel, Kent, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; the town of Stony Point in Rockland County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Bedford, Cortlandt, Lewisboro, New Castle, North Salem, Somers and Yorktown, the towns/villages of Mount Kisco and Ossining, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan and Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County.

Contact:
Angela Scipione / Office of State Asm. Matt Slater
scipionea@nyassembly.gov
(518) 866-8422

Tom Staudter / Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham
Staudtersd40@gmail.com
(914) 419-5221 mobile