Rep. Lawson-Rowe's "Mitchell" and "Dixon" Highways Signed into Law

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg) today announced the signing of House Bill (HB) 451 and House Bill (HB) 738, both highway naming memorial dedications, by Governor Mike DeWine.

“I was pleased to witness the Governor sign these designations into law,” said Rep. Lawson-Rowe. “Corporal Mitchell and Private First Class Dixon embody the best of House District 5. They paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. These tributes are just a small retribution to the debt we owe these men who gave their all for our individual and collective freedoms. However, their names will now live on in perpetuity on portions of two of my district’s busiest interstates.”

HB 451, sponsored by Reps. Lawson-Rowe and Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp.), designates a portion of Interstate 70 in Franklin and Fairfield Counties as “CPL Lindsey William Mitchell Memorial Highway.” CPL Mitchell was a native and resident of Reynoldsburg who was killed in action in North Korea in 1951.

HB 738, sponsored by Reps. Lawson-Rowe and Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), designates a portion of Interstate 270 in Franklin County as “PFC Chris Dixon Memorial Highway.” PFC Dixon was a native and resident of Obetz who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005.

Both bills were amended into Senate Bill 52 as part of an omnibus of road naming designations and special license plates. The ceremonial signing for all designations featured in the omnibus bill was held in the sign shop at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Headquarters in Columbus on Monday.