Pennsylvania Act 2015-89 — LT. COL. MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN/AMVETS POST 113 MEMORIAL BRIDGE - DESIGNATION

Act text

An Act

Designating a bridge on that portion of State Route 62 over the Allegheny River, Tionesta Borough, Forest County, as the Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin/AMVETS Post 113 Memorial Bridge.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin/AMVETS Post 113 Memorial Bridge.

(a) Findings.--

(1) Lieutenant Colonel Michael McLaughlin was born and raised in Forest County and graduated from West Forest High School.

(2) Lt. Col. McLaughlin was a resident of Mercer County at the time of his death.

(3) Lt. Col. McLaughlin deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, as brigade effects coordinator, his duties including coordination of all lethal and nonlethal fires.

(4) Lt. Col. McLaughlin's military awards include the Silver Star (posthumously), the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Field Artillery Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.

(5) While courageously serving his country, Lt. Col. McLaughlin became the first field grade officer of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to die in action since World War II when he was killed January 5, 2006, by a suicide bomber at an Iraqi police recruiting station in Ramadi, Iraq.

(6) American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 113 is a veterans' services organization with more than 100 members, including veterans from all services and conflicts and peacetime.

(7) AMVETS Post 113 honors all veterans and recognizes their unselfish service.

(b) Designation.--The bridge located on State Route 62 in Tionesta Borough, Forest County, over the Allegheny River is hereby designated the Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin/AMVETS Post 113 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 2. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.