OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate Bill 1713 received final approval from the Oklahoma Legislature yesterday, and now only needs Governor Brad Henry's signature to make 4 stretches of Texoma highways memorial highways in honor of three fallen soldiers and also three dedicated public servants.

The new bill would dedicate a stretch of highway to three fallen Oklahoma soldiers, Corporal Michael Thompson, Sergeant Clint Williams, and Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf, who were all killed while serving overseas.

"Over time we get use to the idea of hearing so many people were killed in an attack on the war on terror. We don't ever need to take that news for granted. We need to always remember the sacrifices that were made," says the bill's co-author, State Senator Jay Paul Gumm (D), Durant.

Part of U.S. Highway 70 and U.S. Highway 377 would be set up as separate memorial highways for Thompson and Williams, while part of U.S. 70 that goes through Bryan County would stand as Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf Memorial Highway.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm says he picked these highways because each of the soldiers traveled them frequently.

"This is something the state has been doing more and more as we have seen more and more of our citizens stand up and give their lives. I think it's an important way to remember their sacrifice and ensure that generations to come remember that sacrifice as well," Gumm says.

Representative Sam Buck amended the bill to include three Carter County public servants, District Attorney Mitchell D. Sperry, Carter County Sheriff Harvey Burkhart, and Oklahoma State Representative Terry Hyman.

A stretch of U.S. Highway 77 in Carter County would be named "Three Heroes Highway." The highway was chosen because it connects all three of the areas these men served.

Current Carter County Sheriff Ken Grace says it's a great honor for the three to be remembered with a memorial like this one.

"Well I think it's awful thoughtful of Representative Buck to do something like this to let the people know how much he really appreciates the good things how these three people have done for Carter County," Grace says.

Both Buck and Gumm say they hope people will remember these soldiers and public servants every time they travel these roads, and say they hope we never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom.

The bill now goes to Governor Brad Henry for his signature. If signed, the new names of the memorial highways will go into effect on November 1.