House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

Posted:	March 27, 2018 10:47 AM
From:	Representative Joseph A. Petrarca
To:	All House members
Subject:	Naming of the First Sergeant Alexander Kelly Memorial Bridge in Saltsburg

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation designating the bridge on that portion of Pennsylvania Route 286, also known as Washington Street, over the Kiskiminetas River between Saltsburg Borough, Indiana County and Loyalhanna Township, Westmoreland County as the First Sergeant Alexander Kelly Memorial Bridge. Alexander Kelly was born April 7, 1840 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania and was later employed as a coal miner prior to joining the Union Army during the Civil War. After his enlistment as a substitute, he rose to the rank of First Sergeant with Company F of the 6th U.S. Colored Troops. On September 29, 1864, during the fierce fighting in the Battle of Chapin’s Farm (also known as New Market Heights) he seized the fallen colors of his unit and rallied his fellow soldiers during a time of great confusion and danger. As a result of his heroic actions, he was awarded a Medal of Honor, which is the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration that may be awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who distinguished themselves by acts of valor. After the war, Alexander Kelly returned to western Pennsylvania, where he became a night watchman and adopted homeless and orphaned children with his wife, Victoria. Please join me in honoring First Sergeant Alexander Kelly by cosponsoring this legislation naming this bridge in his honor, so that his sacrifice and service will never be forgotten.
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Introduced as HB2420