Dedicates a portion of the state highway system in the county of Wyoming, constituting state route 98 from School Street in the town of Sheldon at the southern end to the southern line of the village of Attica, to Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A11129
SPONSOR: DiPietro TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to dedicating a portion of
the state highway system to Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To honor and commemorate the life and service of Specialist Thomas Edwin
Beglinger by dedicating a portion of the highway system to him,
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: adds new section 344-s to the highway law. All that portion
of the state highway system in the county of Wyoming, constituting state
route 98 from School Street in the town of Sheldon at the southern end
to the southern line of the village of Attica, shall be dedicated to
Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger.
Section 2: Directs the Commissioner of Transportation to install and
maintain appropriate signage
Section 3: This act shall take effect immediately.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger was born and raised in the Attica, New
York area. He was one of six children of Robert G. Beglinger and Mabel
Edith Glor, with three brothers and three sisters. A 1962 graduate of
Attica High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society and
went on to complete his studies at Alfred Agricultural & Technical
Institute. He was inducted into the United States Army on August 25,
1965. Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger distinguished himself through
extraordinary heroism on October 2, 1966, while serving with his company
during a battalion-size sweep near the village of Ong Truong in Vietnam.
During the operation, one of the company elements came under intense
fire after encountering the perimeter defenses of a Viet Cong base camp.
In the initial engagement, both the platoon leader and his radio-tele-
phone operator were severely wounded and left lying in a minefield.
Recognizing the immediate danger to his fellow soldiers, Specialist
Beglinger unhesitatingly moved toward them. As he advanced, he was
subjected to heavy sniper and grenade fire, yet he continued with unwav-
ering determination. Upon reaching the two wounded soldiers, he began
administering first aid while still under intense hostile f ire.
Specialist Beglinger continued rendering lifesaving assistance until he
was mortally wounded. The remarkable courage and profound selflessness
displayed by Specialist Beglinger exemplifies the highest ideals of
military service. His willingness to risk and ultimately sacrifices, his
life to aid his comrades reflects great honor upon himself, the 1st
Infantry Division, and the United States Army. For his gallantry in
action, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Additional Commen-
dations and Awards: Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge Marksmanship
Badge National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam
Campaign Medal Army Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2025 New Bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
11129
IN ASSEMBLY
April 24, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. DiPIETRO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to dedicating a portion of
the state highway system to Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-s to
2 read as follows:
3 § 344-s. Portion of the state highway system to be dedicated to
4 Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger. All that portion of the state highway
5 system in the county of Wyoming, constituting state route 98 from School
6 Street in the town of Sheldon at the southern end to the southern line
7 of the village of Attica, shall be dedicated to Specialist Thomas Edwin
8 Beglinger.
9 § 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the instal-
10 lation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system
11 as dedicated pursuant to section one of this act, provided that such
12 signing shall state "Highway Dedicated to Specialist Thomas Edwin
13 Beglinger". However, to avoid confusion and to limit any possible
14 disruption of commerce, the dedication called for pursuant to section
15 one of this act shall be one of ceremonial nature and the official name
16 of such highway shall not be changed as a result of this act.
17 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14484-01-6
