Section 15. Betty Ann Townes Memorial Highway.
(a) Findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares:
(1) Betty Ann Townes was born in Mount Holly, Virginia, the fourth child and oldest daughter of Deacon Elton Roane and Deaconess Lucille Roane.
(2) Mrs. Townes was a longtime community leader and political activist.
(3) Mrs. Townes was an active member of Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, where she served on numerous ministries and was a Bible school and Sunday school teacher.
(4) Mrs. Townes was the Block Captain of Sylvania Street, Past Ward Leader of the 12th Ward, a Democratic State Committee Person and political liaison for former mayors John F. Street and Wilson Goode.
(5) Mrs. Townes assisted State and local elected officials of all branches of government and recently worked alongside Representative Rosita C. Youngblood to save Happy Hollows Playground.
(6) Mrs. Townes lived out her life dream and owned her very own soul food restaurant named Knappy Knicky's, which she opened in 1993 at Wayne Avenue and Seymour Street in Germantown. The restaurant was known for chitlin hoagies, great food and family service.
(7) The community considered her restaurant to be a safe haven. If a member of the community were in need of food, clothing, jobs or shelter, Mrs. Townes was always there to help.
(8) Mrs. Townes started a culinary arts training program beside her restaurant that educated youth and the unemployed community.
(9) After tirelessly serving her community as a leader and political activist, Mrs. Townes passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at the age of 69.
(b) Designation.--The section of State Route 30, from Clarissa Street to Chelten Avenue, in Philadelphia County is hereby designated the Betty Ann Townes Memorial Highway.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the highway to traffic in both directions on the highway.