Posted: | January 4, 2022 03:41 PM |
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From: | Representative Mary Jo Daley |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Firefighter Thomas Royds Memorial Highway |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will designate a portion of Interstate 76, also known as the Schuylkill Expressway, in Lower Merion Township in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, as the Firefighter Thomas Royds Memorial Highway. On July 24, 2021, Captain Thomas Royds was struck and killed by a drunk driver while responding to an accident on the Schuylkill Expressway at the age of 48. On July 27, 2021, the Governor ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds in Montgomery County to fly at half-staff in honor of Captain Thomas Royds. Thomas Royds was born on October 7, 1972 in Philadelphia. He grew up in Belmont Hills where he graduated from Harriton High School and earned his Associates Degree from Delaware Community College. In 1988, Thomas started his fire fighting career as a volunteer with the Union Fire Association of Lower Merion and the Belmont Hills Fire Company, following in both his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. In 2014, he joined the Clifton Heights Fire Company as a volunteer firefighter where he held various leadership positions over the last five years, most recently holding the rank of Captain. He was a proud member of the Lower Merion Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 2844, and also served with the Bala Cynwyd Fire Department. In 2019, after over 30 years of service, he was brought on as a full-time career firefighter at the Union Fire Association of Lower Merion, where he had previously earned the rank of Captain as a volunteer, and served as the Company’s career Lieutenant. I ask for your co-sponsorship in designating a portion of Interstate 76, the Schuylkill Expressway, for this outstanding individual who honorably served, and ultimately gave his life, in service to his community. |
Introduced as HB2296