PRINTER'S NO. 1431
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1099
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY LANGERHOLC, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
AN ACT
Designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8672, on that
portion of State Route 3045 over the South Branch Blacklick
Creek, Vintondale Borough, Cambria County, as the John
"Sonny" Kuhar, Jr., Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge,
identified as Bridge Key 45635, on that portion of State
Route 1036 over Howells Run at Lake Rowena, Ebensburg
Borough, Cambria County, as the Ross W. Dixon Memorial
Bridge; and designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key
8604, on that portion of State Route 2014 over U.S. 22,
Cambria County, as the Sheriff Bob Kolar, Sr., Memorial
Bridge.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. John "Sonny" Kuhar, Jr., Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as
follows:
(1) John Kuhar, Jr., was born on May 29, 1941, in
Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
(2) Mr. Kuhar graduated from Nanty Glo-Vintondale Joint
High School in 1959.
(3) In 1960, Mr. Kuhar began to work in law enforcement
while working at Nevy Brothers Store in Vintondale.
(4) Mr. Kuhar served as a police officer in Vintondale
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Borough from 1960 to 1976, Nanty Glo Borough from 1976 to
1988 and Blacklick Township from 1980 until his retirement in
2013.
(5) Mr. Kuhar served as Chief of Police in both
Vintondale Borough and Blacklick Township.
(6) In 1987, Mr. Kuhar joined the Cambria County
Sheriff's Office and served honorably until his death in
2020.
(7) During his dedicated 60-year law enforcement tenure,
Mr. Kuhar received numerous awards.
(8) Mr. Kuhar also received a Valor Award from the
Volunteer Firemen's Association of Cambria County and
Vicinity and the Police Officer of the Year Award from the
Nanty Glo Borough Police Department.
(9) Mr. Kuhar's Cambria County Deputy Sheriff's badge
number 13 is now retired.
(10) Mr. Kuhar was a lifelong resident of Vintondale
Borough, serving as mayor and constable, while also being a
lifetime member of the Vintondale Volunteer Fire Department.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8672,
located on State Route 3045 in Vintondale Borough, Cambria
County, over the South Branch Blacklick Creek is designated the
John "Sonny" Kuhar, Jr., Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to
traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 2. Ross W. Dixon Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as
follows:
(1) Mr. Ross W. Dixon was born on October 19, 1952, in
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Spangler, Pennsylvania.
(2) Mr. Dixon followed in his father's footsteps,
serving as a part-time police officer with the Ebensburg
Borough Police Department.
(3) Mr. Dixon began his career with the Cambria County
Sheriff's Office in 2005, working several positions
throughout the Cambria County Courthouse.
(4) Throughout Mr. Dixon's nearly 50-year career in law
enforcement, he served as his father did with unconditional
kindness.
(5) Mr. Dixon was very active, well known and loved
throughout the Ebensburg community.
(6) Mr. Dixon taught karate, as well as coached baseball
and track.
(7) Mr. Dixon passed away from an on-duty exposure of
COVID-19 on February 9, 2021.
(8) At the time of his death, Deputy Ross Dixon was
employed full-time with the Cambria County Sheriff's Office.
(9) Mr. Ross W. Dixon's name will be formally dedicated
on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Wall in
Washington, DC in May of 2022.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key
45635, located on State Route 1036 in Ebensburg Borough, Cambria
County, over Howells Run at Lake Rowena is designated the Ross
W. Dixon Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to
traffic in both directions on the bridge.
Section 3. Sheriff Bob Kolar, Sr., Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as
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follows:
(1) Robert "Bob" Alan Kolar, Sr., was born on February
14, 1945, in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.
(2) Sheriff Kolar was a graduate of Bishop Carroll High
School located in Ebensburg.
(3) Sheriff Kolar went on to attend Mount Aloysius
College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduating
with a degree in criminology.
(4) Following graduation, Sheriff Kolar joined the
Marine Corps and served honorably for two years.
(5) When his military service came to an end, Sheriff
Kolar began his law enforcement career joining the
Pennsylvania State Police in 1968.
(6) Sheriff Kolar served as a Pennsylvania State Trooper
for 25 years.
(7) In his 25 years of service, Sheriff Kolar was
assigned to various Troops across this Commonwealth, but he
mainly served in Troop A based in Ebensburg and retired in
1992.
(8) Sheriff Kolar was first elected as Cambria County
sheriff in 1998.
(9) During his tenure, Sheriff Kolar served as a board
member of the National Sheriff's Association Domestic
Violence Committee, as the president of the Cambria County
Prison Board for 15 years and he was the first Sheriff
appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency by the Governor in 2008.
(10) In 2016, Sheriff Kolar entered into a partnership
with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and in 2017 he
received recognition for removing 150 criminals off the
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street in the first year.
(11) During his time in office, Sheriff Bob Kolar was
chosen to provide security for United States Presidents
George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump when the
Presidents visited Cambria County.
(12) Sheriff Kolar served as the manager for Ebensburg
Little League Baseball for nine years.
(13) Mr. Kolar was a member of many clubs and
organizations and served on many committees such as the
Chiefs of Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police, the
Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association, the National Sheriffs'
Association, the VFW, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans
of America, the Moose, the Elks, the Eagles, the American
Legion and the National Rifle Association.
(14) Sheriff Kolar passed away on May 6, 2020, while
still serving the people of Cambria County as sheriff.
(15) Sheriff Kolar left behind a legacy of service and
commitment to the community that will be remembered for years
to come.
(16) Sheriff Kolar had the longest tenure as sheriff in
Cambria County history.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8604,
located on State Route 2014, over U.S. 22, Cambria County, is
designated the Sheriff Bob Kolar, Sr., Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to
traffic in both directions on the bridge and under the bridge
along U.S. 22.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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