Hixson proposes highway renaming
If you go
A public hearing on the bill to rename a section of Highway 12 as the "Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway" is at 10 a.m. Thursday in room 417 North at the Capitol in Madison.
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WHITEWATER — Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, wants to rename a section of Highway 12 in Walworth County to honor Stephen Ambrose, a prominent American historian and Whitewater native.
Hixson has proposed the section of Highway 12 from County P to County Line Road be called the "Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway."
Hixson said he knows the importance of a soldier's sacrifice, and he wants to honor a man with local roots who memorialized those who fought and died for freedom.
The city of Whitewater approached Hixson as well as Rep. Steve Nass, R-La Grange, to rename the highway, City Manager Kevin Brunner said. Renaming a state highway requires state approval, he said.
Brunner said a few local people asked if there was a way the city could recognize one of its most famous sons. He said officials liked the idea of renaming the highway, which passes by Whitewater.
Hixson supported the idea, in part because he has a personal connection to the proposal. He had two uncles killed in World War II. He never knew them, but he knew their wives and children, and each time he visited his family, he looked at portraits of his uncles in their service uniforms, he said.
"Those photographs were a constant reminder of all the young men who laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom," he said.
Hixson said he wants to recognize Ambrose for his dedication to honoring soldiers, like his uncles, who fought for their country.
Ambrose spent much of his childhood in Whitewater and studied American history at UW-Madison.
He wrote several best-selling books such as "Band of Brothers," "Undaunted Courage" and "Citizen Soldiers," and was the biographer for presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. Ambrose went on to become one of the most renowned historians in the world, lending his knowledge of World War II to the movie "Saving Private Ryan" and producing the television miniseries "Band of Brothers."
Hixson said renaming the section of Highway 12 would not cost the state or taxpayers any money. Private donations and money from the city of Whitewater are expected to cover the cost of the project, he said.
Oct 7, 2009 at 10:34 p.m.
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Again, I find it hard to believe how negative some of these comments are. This is a bill that honors not only the Ambrose family, but all of those that risked their lives for our country - Stephen Ambrose dedicated much of his time and efforts to memorializing war heroes, and Kim Hixson is honoring the legacy that Ambrose has helped to define.
Voices/farmdude, you aren't fooling anyone. Give it up and play fair.
Oct 7, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.
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I am totally, against this fiasco. Do something constructive with your time and resources while acting as a reprisentative. Holy crap, this is of such low priority you both should be impeached for even considering this. Just my humble opinion, of course.
Oct 7, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.
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Opps... Yes, it does hit a small piece of the Nass district. I agree he doesn't know how to play nice. It would make sense that Hixson is the lead on the bill, and Nass is lead co-sponsor. Yet, I don't think the Whitewater area has done itself much favors being represented by either of them.
Oct 7, 2009 at 1:15 p.m.
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I guess you're right. A small piece does go through Nass' district. I just checked the bill on the Legislature's website. Nass is listed as the lead co-sponsor of the bill. I agree it does help to have bipartisan support on any bill, and this bill has just as many Republicans on it as Democrats. A better question is why didn't Senator Judy Robson sign on as a co-sponsor. In case she forgot, Whitewater is in her district.
Oct 7, 2009 at 10:54 a.m.
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Since the stretch of road is in Hixson's district, then he ought to be the one to do the heavy lifting, not Nass. At this point, I'm not surprised that this is the only way Hixson makes the newspaper anymore. He certainly hasn't done anything related to schools or jobs.
Oct 7, 2009 at 7:28 a.m.
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Another story that shows that our legislators have too much time on their hand. The more they try to prove their relevance by acting (usually by making laws), the more they seem to show how out-of-touch they are.
Oct 6, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
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"money from the city of Whitewater" - sounds like taxpayer money to me. Spending legislative resources on this as his district is nearing great depression unemployment is irresponsible or clueless. Considering his votes, I'm guessing the later.
Oct 6, 2009 at 6:07 p.m.
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You know, Hixson may be a political putz, but he is the elected rep for that area, Whitewater has to go to him to get the highway renamimg past the capital. Quit your complaining about him, and help get the highway renamed...
Pete, did you read the part about it not costing the city, county or state ANY MONEY?
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:46 p.m.
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Since he has trouble understanding any of the real issues his constituents are facing, this is how he is spending his time I guess. I disagreed with almost everything Debi Towns ever said, but this guy is a joke.
Oct 6, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.
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Can we suggest renaming the section that runs from Madison to the Ambrose section be called Hit-the-Road Hixson Highway. That is the road that Hixson will take back home after his crushing defeat next year.
Oct 6, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.
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Great idea. I really enjoyed Band of Brothers, D-Day, and particularly Undaunted Courage.
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