Bill to rename Highway 99 in Washington clears House

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A bill that would name a Washington highway, once designated to honor Jefferson Davis, after a black civil war veteran has unanimously passed the House.

House Bill 4010 passed on Monday and will now be considered by the Senate. It would name Highway 99 after William P. Stewart of Snohomish who volunteered to fight for the United States, according to the bill.

Highway markers near Blaine and Vancouver, Clark County, blessed by state officials once named Highway 99 after Jefferson Davis. Davis was the first and only president of the Confederate States of America. Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, first tried to change the highway's name in 2002. The markers have since been removed from the highway, which currently has no official name.