HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation today that names a highway, bridge and exit in Washington County in honor of local heroes in the military and law enforcement, according to Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).
House Bill 1510 includes language from a bill Bartolotta proposed earlier this year making the following designations:
- Exit 17 on Interstate 70 in the City of Washington as the Sergeant Russell Crupe, Jr., Memorial Exit.
- A section of Pennsylvania Route 50 in Mount Pleasant Township as the Corporal Brady Clement Paul Memorial Highway.
- The Morgan Road Bridge over Interstate 79 in Cecil Township as the Wreaths Across America Bridge.
Sergeant Russell Crupe, Jr. served two years of active duty in the Navy and six years as a member of the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. He served a tour of duty in Iraq as a combat engineer and earned numerous commendations before passing away in 2012.
Corporal Brady Clement Paul served four years in the State Highway Patrol. He was shot and killed in the line of duty after setting up a roadblock three miles east of New Castle on December 27, 1929.
The Wreaths Across America campaign encourages volunteers to place wreaths on the graves of veterans each December to honor their service to our country. Since the campaign was officially recognized by Congress in 2008, the effort has grown to include wreath-laying ceremonies in every state of the nation and Puerto Rico, as well as 24 overseas cemeteries.
“The brave individuals who have protected our communities with honor and distinction in the military and law enforcement deserve to be recognized for generations to come,” Bartolotta said. “I am thankful that we are now one step closer to ensuring the service of many of our local heroes will be commemorated through this legislation.”
The bill was amended in the Senate and sent back to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Bartolotta is also working to name a bridge in honor of Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services paramedic Matthew Smelser, a Charleroi resident who lost his life earlier this year while responding to a call on Interstate 70. That designation is included in House Bill 1597, which was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee today.
CONTACT: Colleen Greer (717) 787-1463