LATE SENS. JOHNNIE L. TURNER AND ALBERT ROBINSON
HONORED IN ANNUAL ROAD NAMING RESOLUTION
Joint resolution names roads, bridges, and highways in honor of Kentuckians who made a lasting impact
FRANKFORT, KY (March 27, 2025)—The Kentucky Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 5 (HJR 5) on Thursday, memorializing distinguished Kentuckians by naming highways, bridges, and roadways in their honor. The resolution includes Senate and House joint resolutions sponsored by lawmakers, which recognize individuals whose service and dedication had a lasting impact on their communities and the commonwealth.
Honoring the late Johnnie L. Turner
At the forefront of this year’s Senate honorees is the dedication of the Johnnie L. Turner Memorial Highway, named in honor of the late Sen. Johnnie L. Turner, who represented Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, and Letcher Counties in the 29th Senate District. Sponsored by Sen. Scott Madon, R-Pineville, who now represents the district, the resolution designates a portion of KY Highway 221 in Harlan County, from mile point 8.9 to mile point 18.4, in Turner’s honor.
Turner was a steadfast advocate for eastern Kentucky who dedicated his life to public service as an attorney and a legislator. Born and raised in Harlan County, he overcame hardships and worked to pay for his education at Pine Mountain Settlement School and Red Bird Mission School before serving in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969. After earning his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1977, Turner practiced law for 46 years. He served as the Harlan County School Board attorney for over two decades and as legal counsel for the City of Cumberland.
Turner represented District 88 in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002 before being elected to the Kentucky Senate in 2020, where he championed efforts to improve the quality of life in his region. He passed away in October 2024 following an accident. He left a legacy of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to his community. Sen. Scott Madon, R-Pineville, sponsored the road naming dedication.
Honoring the late Albert Robinson
Another key recognition in this year’s resolution is the Albert Robinson Memorial Highway in Laurel County, designated in honor of the late Sen. Albert Robinson. He was a dedicated public servant whose career spanned more than 50 years in the Kentucky General Assembly.
Born in Clay County in 1938, Robinson was raised in East Bernstadt in Laurel County, a region he would go on to represent with unwavering commitment. After earning a degree from Cumberland College, now the University of the Cumberlands, he built a successful career as a businessman, entrepreneur, and lawmaker. He embodied the values of hard work and service that defined his life.
Robinson’s service to the commonwealth began in 1972 when he was first elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, where he served until 1985. He returned for another term from 1987 to 1989. He was later elected to the Kentucky Senate and represented District 21 from 1994 to 2005 and from 2013 to 2021. Over his decades in public office, he played a key role in shaping state policy by serving on the Banking and Insurance, State and Local Government, Transportation, and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committees. He also chaired the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee from 2015 to 2021. Beyond politics, Robinson was a successful entrepreneur who built businesses, developed land, and created jobs without seeking recognition for himself. His farm in Laurel County was his "earthly paradise,” where he spent his later years hunting, fishing, and improving the land he loved. A man of deep faith and conviction, Robinson’s Christian principles guided both his personal and professional life.
When he passed away in December of 2024, Robinson was surrounded by his wife of 62 years, Lucille, their three children, six grandchildren, two brothers, and many extended family members and friends.
KY Highway 30, from its intersection with Ulrich Lane to mile marker 9.5 in Laurel County, has been designated the "Albert Robinson Memorial Highway," honoring his life and legacy. Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, sponsored the designation.
Trooper Chris Carter Memorial Highway – Lawrence County
Through the efforts of Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, a portion of US Highway 23 from mile marker 27 to mile marker 28 in Lawrence County has been designated as the Trooper Chris Carter Memorial Highway. It honors Kentucky State Police (KSP) Sgt. Chris Carter, a 19-year veteran of the agency, whose dedication to public safety left a lasting impact on the commonwealth.
Carter served with honor, courage, and commitment and earned the respect of his fellow troopers and the communities he protected. Assigned to KSP Post 14 in Ashland, he was widely known as a mentor, leader, and advocate for his colleagues. Beyond law enforcement, he was a compassionate public servant whose integrity and dedication to doing what was right set him apart.
Carter passed away on Nov. 10, 2024, at the age of 42, following a sudden medical condition. He is survived by his wife, Brittney Carter; his mother, Ruby; and his sisters, Jessica and Renee; and extended family. His loss was deeply felt across the law enforcement community, where he was remembered for his work ethic, kindness, and unwavering commitment to service.
This highway designation ensures his legacy of service and sacrifice is permanently honored in Lawrence County and throughout Kentucky.
Preece Brothers WWII Veterans Memorial Highway – Martin County
The Preece Brothers WWII Veterans Memorial Highway has been designated along KY Highway 908 from mile marker 0.7 to mile marker 0.9 in Martin County to honor Timoth, Lorenz (Babe), and Harrison H. Preece, three brothers from Preece, Kentucky, who bravely served in World War II.
· Construction Mechanic Second Class Timoth Preece served in the US Navy aboard the USS Magoffin and earned the World War II Victory Medal.
· Private First Class Lorenz (Babe) Preece, an Army machine gunner, fought in major European campaigns and earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze service stars.
· Staff Sgt. Harrison H. Preece served as an infantryman in North Africa and Sicily. He received the Bronze Star for Valor.
The Coldwater Road stretch of KY Highway 908, running past their family home, is a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice. Wheeler also sponsored this designation.
Additional Senate-sponsored designations
· Coach Philip Haywood Memorial Highway along US Highway 119 from mile marker 20.9 to 23.7 in Pike County – Sponsored by Wheeler
· Kentucky National Guard Memorial Highway along US Highway 127 in Franklin County, from its intersection with US Highway 60 to its intersection with KY Highway 1005 – Sponsored by Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona
· Stephen “Trey” Coleman III Memorial Overpass on KY Highway 841 over Stonestreet Road at mile point 3 in Jefferson County – Sponsored by Senate Minority Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville
· Mary Alice Howard Burton and John Burton Memorial Bridge on Interstate 264 Highway in Jefferson County at mile point 2.7 over Virginia Avenue – Sponsored by Neal
· Heartland Parkway designation along KY Highway 55 in Adair, Taylor, Marion, and Washington Counties – Sponsored by Senate Transportation Chair Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon
· Faye Cain Sears Memorial Highway along KY Highway 914 in Pulaski County, from its intersection with KY Highway 1577 to its intersection with KY Highway 1247 – Sponsored by Sen. Rick Girdler, R-Somerset
HJR 5 also includes numerous honorary highway namings sponsored by House members to commemorate fallen law enforcement officers, military veterans, civic leaders, and community advocates. Among those honored are:
· Deputy Sheriff Joshua Phipps Memorial Highway on US Highway 127 in Russell County
· Rep. Brent Yonts Memorial Highway on KY Highway 176 in Muhlenberg County
· Capt. Samuel A. Manley Memorial Highway on US Highway 25 in Madison County
· Nelson County Veterans Bridge spanning the Beech Fork River on US Highway 31 East in Nelson County
For more information on HJR 5 and its designations, visit Legislature.ky.gov.
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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2025 Legislative Session, including committees, membership, legislation, and more.
Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel.
Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.
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Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2025 Legislative Session, including committees, membership, legislation, and more.
Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel.
Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.