Bill to Rename Highway After Fallen Akron Marine Passes Ohio Senate
November 7, 2019
Vernon Sykes News
On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate passed a bill, co-sponsored by state Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), to designate 28 highways and four bridges across the state in memory of fallen soldiers and law enforcement officers, House Bill 276. Sykes secured the inclusion of a designation to rename the eastbound and westbound lanes of State Route 261 in Akron, between Home Avenue and North Main Street, as “Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield Memorial Highway.”
“Corporal Brownfield sacrificed his life defending our nation, and his service must never be forgotten,” said Sykes. “It is important that we always honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and I hope this small gesture will help keep Cpl. Brownfield’s legacy alive.”
Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield, a North High graduate, was killed in a mortar attack on March 18, 2004 while serving in the U.S. Marines Corps. Cpl. Brownfield was the first resident of Summit County and the 21st Ohio military member to be killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon Sykes’ request, Akron City Council enacted a similar resolution to recognize the designated section of SR 261 honoring Cpl. Brownfield.
The road renaming is included in HB 276, which was originally introduced by state Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) to rename a highway in northwest Ohio.
HB 276 will now head to the governor’s desk for his anticipated signature. Signs designating the highway name change are expected to be erected by the Ohio Department of Transportation in the coming weeks.
“Corporal Brownfield sacrificed his life defending our nation, and his service must never be forgotten,” said Sykes. “It is important that we always honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and I hope this small gesture will help keep Cpl. Brownfield’s legacy alive.”
Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield, a North High graduate, was killed in a mortar attack on March 18, 2004 while serving in the U.S. Marines Corps. Cpl. Brownfield was the first resident of Summit County and the 21st Ohio military member to be killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon Sykes’ request, Akron City Council enacted a similar resolution to recognize the designated section of SR 261 honoring Cpl. Brownfield.
The road renaming is included in HB 276, which was originally introduced by state Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) to rename a highway in northwest Ohio.
HB 276 will now head to the governor’s desk for his anticipated signature. Signs designating the highway name change are expected to be erected by the Ohio Department of Transportation in the coming weeks.