2020 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Act 45 - MULTIPLE DESIGNATIONS IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES - DESIGNATION
An Act
Designating a portion of Pennsylvania Route 183 from Segment 0040/Offset 2555 to Segment 110/Offset 1180 in Berks County as the Trooper Wayne C. Ebert Memorial Highway; designating a bridge on that portion of S.R. 2087 over Inners Creek near Lake Redman, York Township, York County, as the Corporal Michael Cohen Memorial Bridge; designating a portion of State Route 50 in Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County, as the Corporal Brady Clement Paul Memorial Highway; designating the Morgan Road Bridge over Interstate 79 in Cecil Township, Washington County, as the Wreathes Across America Bridge; designating the Interstate 70 Exit 17 in City of Washington, Washington County, as the Sergeant Russell Crupe, Jr., Memorial Exit; designating a bridge, identified by Bridge Key 7381, on that portion of North Main Street over the East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Sellersville Borough, Bucks County, as the Sellersville Veterans Memorial Bridge; designating a portion of Pennsylvania Route 39 in Dauphin County, from Dover Road to Forest Hills Drive, as the Officer Mark Gaspich Memorial Highway; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 11414, on U.S. Route 219 in Brady Township, Clearfield County, as the Lance Corporal Robert Clyde Gontero Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified by Bridge Key 46789, on that portion of State Route 3012 over Back Creek on the border of Hamilton Township and St. Thomas Township, Franklin County, as the Sergeant Melvin G. Ehrhart Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge on that portion of State Route 8042 over U.S. Route 40, West Brownsville Borough, Washington County, as the SFC Thomas McDonough Memorial Bridge; designating the bridge, identified as Bridge Key 53827, on that portion of State Route 2003, also known as S. Porter Street, over the South Fork Tenmile Creek in Waynesburg, Greene County, as the Sheriff Brian A. Tennant Memorial Bridge; designating the interchange of State Route 43, also known as the Mon-Fayette Expressway, with U.S. Route 40, known as Exit 22, in Redstone Township, Fayette County, as the PFC Joseph Frank Duda Memorial Interchange; and designating the interchange of U.S. Route 40 with State Route 4035, also known as Market Street and Spring Street, in Brownsville, Fayette County, as the Corporal Denny Ray Easter Memorial Interchange.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Trooper Wayne C. Ebert Memorial Highway.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) A native of Lancaster County, Trooper Wayne C. Ebert served in the United States Navy from July 20, 1945, to July 17, 1946.
(2) Trooper Ebert enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police on August 16, 1950, and was assigned to Troop C, Reading.
(3) While directing traffic at the Reading Air Show on June 7, 1978, Trooper Ebert was struck and killed by a pickup truck along Route 183 in Berks County.
(4) At the time of his death, Trooper Ebert had served for over 27 years as a State Trooper.
(b) Designation.--The section of Pennsylvania Route 183 from Segment 0040/Offset 2555 to Segment 110/Offset 1180 in Berks County is designated the Trooper Wayne C. Ebert 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.
Section 2. Corporal Michael Cohen Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Corporal Michael Cohen was a resident of York County and attended Dallastown Area School District.
(2) Corporal Cohen was attending York Technical Institute, studying to receive a computer degree, when he chose to enlist in the Marine Corps.
(3) Immediately following the attack on September 11, 2001, Corporal Cohen moved up his enlistment date and missed his graduation because he knew he wanted to serve his country during that important time.
(4) Serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Corporal Cohen lost his life when he was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq, on November 22, 2004, during what would later be called the "bloodiest battle since Vietnam."
(b) Designation.--The bridge located on State Route 2087 over Inners Creek near Lake Redman, York Township, York County, is designated the Corporal Michael Cohen Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 3. Corporal Brady Clement Paul Memorial Highway.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Corporal Brady Clement Paul was born November 7, 1904, in Hickory, Pennsylvania.
(2) On January 7, 1926, when Corporal Paul was 22 years of age, he enlisted with the State Highway Patrol.
(3) On December 27, 1929, at 11:50 a.m., Corporal Paul and Patrolman Ernest Moore set up a roadblock on Butler Highway, three miles east of New Castle, to stop a motor vehicle.
(4) When Corporal Paul asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, a passenger came around the side of the vehicle and opened fire on the officers.
(5) Corporal Paul's dying words were "Tell the boys I did my duty, I did my best."
(6) Corporal Paul was pronounced dead on arrival at Jameson Memorial Hospital in New Castle.
(7) Nineteen days later, the escapees were apprehended after a shoot-out with a sheriff's posse in Arizona and were extradited to this Commonwealth where they were tried, sentenced and executed for murder.
(b) Designation.--The section of State Route 50 in Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County, identified as Segment 210- 220, is designated the Corporal Brady Clement Paul 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.
Section 4. Wreaths Across America Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) In 2008, more than 300 locations held wreath-laying ceremonies on the graves of veterans in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries.
(2) More than 100,000 wreaths were placed on veterans' graves with more than 60,000 volunteers participating.
(3) On December 13, 2008, the Congress of the United States unanimously designated the day as "Wreaths Across America Day."
(4) In 2014, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers laid more than 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the United States and beyond, including ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge and the sites of the September 11 tragedies. This was accomplished with help from 2,047 sponsorship groups, corporate contributions and donations of trucking, shipping and thousands of helping hands.
(5) The organization's goal of covering Arlington National Cemetery was met in 2014 with the placement of 226,525 wreaths.
(6) The wreath-laying ceremony is held annually on the second or third Saturday of December. Wreaths Across America's annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery has become known as the world's largest veterans' parade, stopping at schools, monuments, veterans' homes and communities along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach.
(b) Designation.--Morgan Road Bridge over Interstate 79 in Cecil Township, Washington County, is designated the Wreaths Across America Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 5. Sergeant Russell Crupe, Jr., Memorial Exit.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Sergeant Russell Crupe, Jr., graduated from Avella High School in 1998 and was a lieutenant and director of field operations for the NSA Security Forces.
(2) Sergeant Crupe, Jr., served two years of active duty in the Navy and for six years was a member of the Army National Guard and Army Reserves.
(3) During his time in the National Guard, Sergeant Crupe, Jr., served a tour of duty in Iraq as a combat engineer.
(4) Sergeant Crupe, Jr., died July 23, 2012.
(5) Sergeant Crupe, Jr., was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with star, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with device, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge with clasp.
(b) Designation.--Exit 17 on Interstate 70 in City of Washington, Washington County, is designated the Sergeant Russell Crupe, Jr., Memorial Exit.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate sign displaying the name of the exit to traffic exiting the highway in both directions.
Section 6. Sellersville Veterans Memorial Bridge.
(a) Designation.--The bridge located on North Main Street over the East Branch Perkiomen Creek, Sellersville, in Sellersville Borough, Bucks County, is designated as the Sellersville Veterans Memorial Bridge in recognition of the men and women who bravely served their country.
(b) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 7. Officer Mark Gaspich Memorial Highway.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Officer Mark Gaspich lived a life of service to others.
(2) Over the course of his career, Officer Gaspich served his community as a correctional officer, a corporal with the Dauphin County Sheriff's Office, an emergency medical technician and a community service officer with the Lower Paxton Township Police Department.
(3) Officer Gaspich was also a proud volunteer firefighter with Linglestown Fire Company #1, Station 35, beginning his volunteer fire service at 16 years of age.
(4) Officer Gaspich graduated from the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute, the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Training Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Academy and the Harrisburg Area Community College Fire Academy.
(5) Officer Gaspich attended Bloomsburg University and Harrisburg Area Community College.
(6) On October 10, 2018, Officer Gaspich died in the line of duty at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill at 44 years of age.
(b) Designation.--The section of Pennsylvania Route 39 in Dauphin County from Dover Road to Forest Hills Drive is designated the Officer Mark Gaspich 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.
Section 8. Lance Corporal Robert Clyde Gontero Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Lance Corporal Robert Clyde Gontero, a native of Luthersburg, Clearfield County, gave his life in service to his country during the Vietnam War.
(2) Lance Corporal Gontero graduated from DuBois Area High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 6, 1968.
(3) Lance Corporal Gontero served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, First Division.
(4) On June 26, 1969, Lance Corporal Gontero was killed in action as a result of a gunshot wound from rifle fire while on a search and clear mission in Quang Nam, South Vietnam.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 11414, on U.S. Route 219 in Brady Township, Clearfield County, is designated the Lance Corporal Robert Clyde Gontero Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 9. Sergeant Melvin G. Ehrhart Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Melvin G. Ehrhart was born on September 28, 1948, and served in the United States Army, where he reached the rank of sergeant.
(2) From October 10, 1968, until his death on April 28, 1969, Sergeant Ehrhart served with Company D, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam.
(3) Sergeant Ehrhart actively participated in aerial missions over hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations.
(4) On April 28, 1969, Sergeant Ehrhart's platoon came under attack from a numerically superior hostile force, and he courageously exposed himself to danger in order to direct his troops into effective fighting positions.
(5) Although seriously wounded by an enemy grenade, Sergeant Ehrhart continued to lead his men until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire.
(6) For his extraordinary heroism, Sergeant Ehrhart was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
(7) Prior to his death, Sergeant Ehrhart was recognized with the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism for his actions on January 25, 1969.
(8) On that date, Sergeant Ehrhart's platoon was on a cordon and search mission when it twice encountered command detonated mines and heavy automatic and semi-automatic weapons.
(9) While under enemy fire, Sergeant Ehrhart gave a detailed account of the situation and relayed instructions to the squads.
(10) Sergeant Ehrhart was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Air MedalSecond Oak Leaf, the Army Commendation Medal-First Oak Leaf Cluster with "V" Device, the Bronze Star, the Bronze StarFirst Oak Leaf and the Bronze Star-Second Oak Leaf.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified by Bridge Key 46789, on that portion of State Route 3012 over Back Creek on the border of Hamilton Township and St. Thomas Township, Franklin County, is designated the Sergeant Melvin G. Ehrhart Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 10. SFC Thomas McDonough Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) SFC Thomas McDonough, a native of Brownsville, Washington County, gave his life in service to his country during the Korean War.
(2) SFC McDonough enlisted with the United States Army on February 23, 1942.
(3) SFC McDonough served with the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Detachment, 1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment in both World War II and the Korean War.
(4) On September 6, 1950, SFC McDonough was killed by hostile fire in Korea.
(5) SFC McDonough was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He also received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
(b) Designation.--The bridge located on State Route 8042 over U.S. Route 40, West Brownsville Borough, Washington County, is designated the SFC Thomas McDonough Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 11. Sheriff Brian A. Tennant Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) A native of Waynesburg, Sheriff Brian A. Tennant began his lifetime of public service as a member of the Waynesburg-Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company.
(2) Sheriff Tennant also worked as an emergency medical technician with EMS Southwest, Inc., an ambulance and chair service.
(3) In 2007, Sheriff Tennant graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Criminal Justice Training Center and began serving as a police officer with the Fallowfield Township Police Department and later with the Waynesburg Borough Police Department.
(4) In January 2010, Sheriff Tennant was hailed as a hero for helping to save several lives during a house fire in Waynesburg that killed two children.
(5) In 2013, Sheriff Tennant was elected Sheriff of Greene County.
(6) In 2017, Sheriff Tennant was re-elected Sheriff of Greene County and served in this position until his death.
(7) Sheriff Tennant died on February 27, 2019, at the age of 35.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 53827, located on that portion of State Route 2003, also known as S. Porter Street, over the South Fork of Tenmile Creek in Waynesburg, Greene County, is designated the Sheriff Brian A. Tennant Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to traffic in both directions.
Section 12. PFC Joseph Frank Duda Memorial Interchange (Repealed).
Section 13. Corporal Denny Ray Easter Memorial Interchange (Repealed).
Section 14. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
