Bill honoring African-American soldiers' contribution to Alaska Highway signed into law

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 11

Gov. Bill Walker attends worship at Shiloh Baptist Church before signing into law SB 46 – an act establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day – on Sunday, April 30, 2017. (Rugile Kaladyte / Alaska Dispatch News)

Gov. Bill Walker on Sunday signed SB 46 — establishing Oct. 25 of each year as African American Soldiers' Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day — into law.

Before the signing, Walker attended worship at Shiloh Baptist Church and spoke alongside Sen. David Wilson, who introduced the bill.

"We can't change the past, but we can honor those who served," Wilson said.

With children surrounding the table, Walker signed his first name at the church before signing his last name at the veteran memorial at Delaney Park Strip.

"Washington calls the Alaska Highway the road to civil rights that helped end segregation in the Army," Walker said. "October 25th will be a day we celebrate these soldiers."