Pennsylvania Act 2007-12 — COLONEL JOHN JOSEPH TOMINAC MEMORIAL BRIDGE - DESIGNATION

Act text

AN ACT

Redesignating the Maple Avenue Bridge on State Route 271 in the City of Johnstown, Cambria County, as the Colonel John Joseph Tominac Memorial Bridge.

WHEREAS, Colonel John Joseph Tominac, a native son of Conemaugh who later lived in Franklin Borough, bravely served our country with distinction in Europe during World War II as a member of Company I, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Tominac was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by Lieutenant General Alexander M. Patch on April 22, 1945, at Zeppelin Stadium in Nuremberg, Germany; and

WHEREAS, The citation presented with the medal recognized Colonel Tominac, then a First Lieutenant, for conspicuous gallantry and bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in an attack on Saulx de Vesoul, France, on September 12, 1944; and

WHEREAS, Despite a painful shoulder wound from enemy shrapnel, Colonel Tominac fought with outstanding heroism and displayed exemplary leadership; and

WHEREAS, His actions resulted in the destruction of four successive enemy defensive positions, surrender of a vital sector of the city of Saulx de Vesoul and the death of at least 60 enemy soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Tominac was also awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, the French Fourragere and the Combat Infantry Badge; and

WHEREAS, After a distinguished military career of 37 years, including service in the Korean War, this dedicated army officer retired in 1979 and passed away in 1998 at the age of 76.

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

Section 1. Colonel John Joseph Tominac Memorial Bridge.

(a) Designation.--The bridge carrying State Route 271 over the Little Conemaugh River and the Norfolk Southern mainline in the City of Johnstown, Cambria County, known as the Maple Avenue Bridge, is redesignated as the Colonel John Joseph Tominac Memorial Bridge.

(b) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the redesignated name of the bridge to traffic in both directions.

Section 2. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.