Bristol Delegation Urges State to allow “Welcome Home” Messages for Military on Electronic Highway Boards

Hartford, CT – Sen. Jason Welch, (R-Bristol) and Rep. Frank Nicastro, (D-Bristol) are proposing a bill to allow electronic highway boards to host messages to our troops when they return home from active duty.

“We owe so much of what we have to these troops,” said Rep. Nicastro, a veteran of the Navy and Army National Guard. “This legislation is a small first step towards showing these troops how grateful we are to them.”

“The simple act of placing a ‘Welcome Home’ message on our highway signs will let the soldiers know that Connecticut appreciates them and is grateful they are home safe,” said Sen. Welch, a veteran of the Coast Guard Reserve and Army National Guard.

The bill the two lawmakers have proposed is Proposed S.B. No. 102 AN ACT ALLOWING “WELCOME HOME” MESSAGES FOR RETURNING CONNECTICUT MILITARY UNITS TO BE DISPLAYED ON OVERHEAD ELECTRONIC SIGN BOARDS ON STATE HIGHWAYS.

The idea was brought to the attention of the lawmakers by constituents who wanted to honor military in their communities. This is similar to the idea of congratulating the UCONN men’s and women’s basketball teams when they win a national championship as was done in previous years.

Similar legislation was voted out of The Transportation Committee last year and passed the State Senate. Both Nicastro and Welch would like to pick up where the legislature left off and try to get the bill passed this legislative session. They are expected to meet with Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker to discuss the idea.

Meantime, The Transportation Committee held a public hearing on February 13 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Rep. Nicastro and Sen. Welch’s bill was heard by the committee. Members will consider the legislation. It could come up for a vote or be passed on to another committee for consideration