WHEREAS, the 200th Infantry Regiment, which is the youngest of the three regiments forming the fighting core of the 31st Infantry Division, can trace its history all the way back to the pre-Civil War days of 1846; and

WHEREAS, the parent units of the 200th Infantry Regiment included such historic and colorful Alabama militia units as the Mobile Rifles and Mobile Cadets, the Montgomery True Blues, the Tuskegee Grays, and the Conecuh Home Guard; and

WHEREAS, the 31st Infantry Division was demobilized in 1919 and reorganized as a National Guard Division in 1923 with several component units coming from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, during World War II the 31st Infantry Division was comprised of the 154th, 155th, 167th, and 124th Infantry Regiments (the 124th replacing the 154th) and the 114th, 116th, 117th, and the 149th Field Artillery Battalion Support units were the 106th Engineer Combat Battalion, the 106th Cavalry Medical Battalion, the 31st Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, the 731st Ordnance Company, the 31st Quartermaster Company, the 31st Signal Company, the Division Headquarters Company, the Military Police Platoon, and the Division Band; and

WHEREAS, the division earned distinction in World War II in the battles in the Southwest Pacific Theater of the war and in the process earned Battle Credits, a commendation for its commander, a distinguished unit citation, and one Congressional Medal of Honor winner; and

WHEREAS, esteemed among the military for its exploits and accomplishments, the 31st Infantry Division is worthy of praise; and

WHEREAS, in order to commemorate those persons who served in the 31st Infantry Division in defense of our country, the Alabama Legislature hereby desires to designate that portion of United States Highway 31 located within this state as the 31st Infantry Division Memorial Highway; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the portion of United States Highway 31 located within this state is hereby designated the 31st Infantry Division Memorial Highway, and it is further resolved that appropriate officials are requested to place and maintain markers designating the 31st Infantry Division Memorial Highway as provided in this resolution.