Submitted by the Office of NYS Senator Daphne Jordan
On Monday, December 12, Signage designating the Rensselaer County Purple Heart Highway was officially unveiled during a special ceremony. The signage was established via bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Daphne Jordan and Senator-Elect Jake Ashby to honor the courage of Rensselaer County Purple Heart heroes. The sign was unveiled at the American Legion Melvin Roads Post 1231, 200 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer.
The bipartisan legislation renames State Route 43, beginning at the border of Massachusetts just east of Stephentown, and ending at the intersection with 1-90 in North Greenbush, as the Rensselaer County Purple Heart Highway. The measure passed both houses of the State Legislature during the 2022 session with strong, bipartisan support, and was signed into State law by Governor Kathy Hochul on August 12.
Each of the four towns along Route 43 passed resolutions becoming Purple Heart Towns, and the new State law will enhance the honor and respect that Rensselaer County and New York State show to Purple Heart Veterans, as well as those killed in action.
The Purple Heart is the oldest, and among the most venerated, military decorations awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. Military.
Within Senator Jordan’s 43rd District, all 60 towns, villages, and cities are now Purple Heart Communities, and all four Counties: Saratoga, Rensselaer, Washington, and Columbia, passed local resolutions to become Purple Heart Counties.
