Bill Text: NJ A3375 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates U.S. Route 22 bridge, Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, as "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-26 - Substituted by S2236 [A3375 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A3375-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman SHEILA Y. OLIVER
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblyman JACK M. CIATTARELLI
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Peterson
SYNOPSIS
Designates U.S. Route 22 bridge, Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, as "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating U.S. Route 22 bridge, the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, between Phillipsburg, New Jersey and Easton, Pennsylvania as the "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge."
Whereas, William John Cahir, a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, worked as a newspaper correspondent for the Express-Times, providing news coverage to Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey and Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, and for Newhouse News Service, during which time his work regularly appeared in numerous New Jersey-based newspapers; and
Whereas, Throughout his life, William Cahir was committed to public service, working for United States Senator Edward Kennedy and United States Senator Harris Wofford, and running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District in 2008; and
Whereas, After the terror attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, William Cahir enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve at the age of 34, where he went to great lengths to obtain an age waiver and eventually rose to the rank of Sergeant; and
Whereas, Sergeant Cahir was assigned to the 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve based in Washington, D.C., completed two tours in Iraq, and in 2009, was deployed for a tour in Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom; and
Whereas, On August 13, 2009, while completing his third tour, Sergeant Cahir was tragically shot and killed by enemy fire while on a dismounted patrol during Eastern Resolve II, a pre-dawn offensive operation in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, that was intended to cut Taliban trade and supply lines in order to allow local residents to vote in the Afghan presidential election; and
Whereas, For his heroism, Sergeant Cahir received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and other decorations; and
Whereas, Sergeant Cahir was survived by his wife, Rene, who at the time of his death was pregnant with their twin daughters, Caroline and Elizabeth; and
Whereas, The Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, connects the counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that were served by the newspaper for which Sergeant Cahir reported; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to honor the life and sacrifice of Sergeant William John Cahir by designating U.S. Route 22 bridge over the Delaware River between Phillipsburg, New Jersey and Easton, Pennsylvania, known as the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, as the "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge"; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Executive Director of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission shall designate the U.S. Route 22 bridge crossing the Delaware River between Phillipsburg, New Jersey and Easton, Pennsylvania, known as the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, as the "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge," and erect appropriate signs bearing this name.
2. No State or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately, but shall remain inoperative until the enactment into law of legislation substantially similar to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but if such legislation shall have been enacted prior to the enactment of this act, this act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the U.S. Route 22 bridge over the Delaware River between Phillipsburg, New Jersey and Easton, Pennsylvania, known as the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, as the "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge," in recognition of the life and sacrifice of Sergeant William John Cahir, who died in defense of the United States on August 13, 2009.
Sergeant Cahir was dedicated to public service as evidenced from his work as a journalist, Congressional staff member, and Congressional candidate. Moved by the atrocities of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Sergeant Cahir obtained an age waiver to enlist in the United States Marine Corps Reserve at the age of 34. He was assigned to the 4th Civil Affairs Group, where he was a colleague and friend of the sponsor. During a tour in Afghanistan, Sergeant Cahir was shot and killed by enemy fire. Upon his untimely death, he was survived by his wife who was pregnant with their twin daughters.
Sergeant Cahir gave his life defending the values and freedoms of the United States and will be honored for his unwavering dedication and sacrifice. It is altogether fitting and proper for the State to designate the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge, which connects the counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that were served by the newspaper for which Sergeant Cahir reported, as the "Sergeant William John Cahir Memorial Bridge" in recognition of Sergeant Cahir's selfless service and ultimate sacrifice.
This bill will remain inoperative until substantially similar legislation is enacted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge is operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, a bi-state agency.
