Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and New York state Sen. Pete Harckham announced today that their legislation designating a portion of State Route 35 in Westchester County as the “Purple Heart Trail” in honor of the county’s Purple Heart recipients has been signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The bill (A.8237 / S.6930B) introduced by Slater and Harckham, now enacted, amends the state’s Highway Law in relation to dedicating a part of Route 35 beginning at its intersection with State Route 202 and then eastward to its intersection with State Route 100. This stretch of the Route 35 roadway was chosen for its proximity to Lasdon Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial, 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.

“Here in New York, we take honoring our heroes very seriously; it’s at the very core of who we are. While this dedication is a small gesture compared to the immense sacrifices made by our Purple Heart recipients, it guarantees their service and sacrifice will be forever remembered. These men and women deserve this recognition, and I’m thankful our governor agreed. I’m especially grateful to Sen. Harckham for his partnership in making sure Westchester’s Purple Heart veterans are honored with due diligence.”

“It is both proper and essential that we honor our Purple Heart veterans who have bravely defended our nation and sacrificed so much,” said Harckham. “Dedicating this section of Route 35 to Westchester’s Purple Heart recipients is a meaningful way to recognize these service members who have been awarded one of the highest honors in our country’s military. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation and also thank Assemblyman Matt Slater for his partnership in making this tribute possible.”

Somers Town Supervisor Robert G. Scorrano said, “Somers is deeply honored to have a portion of Route 35 designated as the New York State Purple Heart Trail in recognition of Westchester County’s Purple Heart veterans. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Harckham and Assemblyman Slater, this tribute ensures that the courage and sacrifice of these heroes will always be remembered here in our community.”

Eugene Lang, a Purple Heart recipient and Somers resident who is also a member of Purple Heart Chapter 21, said, “I would like to thank Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Matt Slater for their persistence in bringing this important bill to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature. Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21 will be honored to see a portion of Route 35 named in honor of recipients of this award.”