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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Michael
J. Herzing |
State Rep. Dan Surra |
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Governor signs Surra bridge, county audit bills
HARRISBURG, July 3 – Two bills introduced by state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Elk/Clearfield, were signed into law by the governor on Monday.
One of the measures (H.B. 1228) renames the Clarion River Bridge on Main Street in Ridgway the Rear Admiral Paul H. Speer Bridge in honor of the navy aviator, instructor and officer who was born in Greensburg, Pa. in 1928. Speer is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Speer of Ridgway.
Speer had a brilliant naval career. He served as a naval aviator during the Korean War, an instructor with the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Northwestern University, and became an air wing commander and commanding officer of the U.S.S. Constellation. Speer served as commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in Japan from October 1974 to April 1976, became assistant deputy chief of naval operations and then served as chief of staff to the supreme allied commander Atlantic in 1981.
“During his career, Rear Admiral Speer was awarded the Navy Cross, two Legion of Merit awards, three Distinguished Flying Cross awards, a Bronze Star Medal with Combat ‘V,’ an Air Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V,’” Surra said. “He also received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Order of the Sacred Treasure from Japan.
“Ridgway is very proud of its connection to this brave American hero and his distinguished military career.”
The other Surra bill signed by the governor (H.B. 635) gives county auditors in Pennsylvania an additional three months to conduct audits of county finances and expenditures.
Surra said the additional time would ensure county audits are comprehensive and thorough, and that auditors are able to meet the audit deadlines in state law.
“County audits have become much more complex,” Surra said. “Extending the audit deadline protects taxpayers and keeps county auditors from routinely having to ask the courts for extensions of their deadlines. This law will save local taxpayers and our courts money.”
The legislation (H.B. 635) would extend the deadline for completing county audits from April 1 to July 1.
The county audit law takes effect immediately. The bridge-naming law takes effect in 60 days. Surra said the state Department of Transportation will erect signs at either end of the bridge reflecting the new name.
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