Designates portion of State Highway Route 35 in Laurence Harbor as "James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway.", the official text

SENATE, No. 497

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator OWEN HENRY

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

Designates portion of State Highway Route 35 in
Laurence Harbor as "James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial
Roadway."

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

An Act designating a portion of State Highway Route 35
in Laurence Harbor in honor of James Francisco and Walter Schmidt.

Whereas,
James Leonard Francisco was born on February 18, 1948 and grew up in
Laurence Harbor, New Jersey before beginning his tour in the United States Army
in December 1968 holding the rank of Private First Class in the light weapons
infantry where he was attached to the 9th Infantry Division, 4th Battalion,
47th Infantry, D Company; and

Whereas,
Mr. Francisco was killed in action during the Vietnam War in South Vietnam on
February 5, 1969; and

Whereas,
Mr. Francisco is remembered as a Purple Heart recipient who died
protecting his country; and

Whereas,
Walter James Schmidt was born on January 15, 1944 in Laurence Harbor, New
Jersey and served in the United States Army where he attained the rank of
Specialist 4 and was attached to Company B, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry and
received the Silver and Purple Star; and

Whereas,
On November 8, 1966, Mr. Schmidt was killed in action in South
Vietnam; and

Whereas,
Mr. Schmidt was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action against a hostile
force while participating in Operation Attleboro; and

Whereas,
For their service to their country and this State, it is fitting and proper for
the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor the lives of James
Francisco and Walter Schmidt by designating the portion of State Highway Route
35 in Laurence Harbor as the “James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial
Roadway”; now, therefore,

Be It
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

1.    The Commissioner of
Transportation shall designate the portion of State Highway Route 35 in
Laurence Harbor, extending from milepost 45.37 to milepost 47.26, as the “James
Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway” and erect appropriate signs
bearing this designation and dedication.

2.    State or other public
funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing
the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act.  The
Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other
financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or
reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with
producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation
established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements
related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to
non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or
institutions.  Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the
Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a
responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing,
erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3.    This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates the
portion of State Highway Route 35 in Laurence Harbor as the “James Francisco
and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway” to honor the service of Mr. Francisco and
Mr. Schmidt.  The Legislature honors Mr. Francisco and Mr. Schmidt for their
service to their country and the people of the State of New Jersey.

Consistent with Department of
Transportation (department) policy and other road designations, the bill
provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing,
purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the “James Francisco
and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway.”  The Commissioner of Transportation is
authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs
associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing
the designation.  The department is not permitted to proceed with implementing
the bill until an agreement is reached with a responsible party for the costs
to produce, purchase, erect, and maintain the signs.