The late Sen. James J. Rhoades devoted much of his life to building bridges that linked education to better lives for young people. Now, state lawmakers are considering naming a concrete-and-steel span in his honor.

Rhoades, who died on Oct. 18, 2008, at age 66 from injuries he had suffered in a car crash the day before, was instrumental in obtaining money to refurbish the bridge spanning the Schuylkill River between Hamburg and Tilden Township in Berks County. The span, now known as the State Street Bridge, is expected to be re-opened on Nov. 12, and lawmakers hope to open it as the Sen. James J. Rhoades Memorial Bridge.A Republican, Rhoades' 29th legislative district included Schuylkill County and parts of Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and Monroe. Rhoades, who had a master's degree in education, was running for an eighth term in office at the time of his death. He had served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and on the Appropriations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Environmental Resources and Energy committees.State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Schuylkill, along with House Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon, and 48 other lawmakers, introduced the legislation, House Bill 2614, on June 28."Sen Rhoades was helpful in getting work done at an intersection near the bridge and on the bridge itself," Knowles said. "I thought it would be nice if we could name the bridge the Sen James J. Rhoades Memorial Bridge."McCall said that "Jim Rhoades' untimely passing was an absolute tragedy not just for the people he represented, but for all Pennsylvanians. While I believe his true legacy was the education he sought to improve for millions of Pennsylvania students, I was proud to support naming this bridge to honor his memory."In addition to Knowles and McCall, representatives Neil Goodman (D), Tim Seip (D), William F. Adolph Jr. (R), Matthew E. Baker (R), John C. Bear (R), Kerry A. Benninghoff (R), Karen D. Beyer (D), Scott W. Boyd (R), Matthew D. Bradford (D), Joseph F. Brennan (D), Michele Brooks (R), Martin T. Causer (R), Paul I. Clymer (R), Gary Day (R), Gordon Denlinger (R), Gene Digirolamo (R), Todd Eachus (D), Garth D. Everett (R), Russell H. Fairchild (R), Mike Fleck (R), Robert Freeman (D), Matt Gabler (R), Richard A. Geist (R), Camille Bud George (D), Seth M. Grove (R), Richard T. Grucela (D), Julie Harhart (R), Susan C. Helm (R), Tim Hennessey (R), Dick L. Hess (R), David S. Hickernell (R), Mark K. Keller (R), Thomas H. Killion (R), William C. Kortz II (D), Sandra Major (R), David R. Millard (R), Ron Miller (R), Rick Mirabito (D), Dan Moul (R), Thomas P. Murt (R), Mark T. Mustio (R), Donna Oberlander (R), Dennis M. O'Brien (R), Eddie Day Pashinski (D), John D. Payne (R), Tony J. Payton (D), Merle H. Phillips (R), Tina Pickett (R), Jeffrey P. Pyle (R), Marguerite Quinn (R), Harry Readshaw (D), Douglas G. Reichley (R), Todd Rock (R), Sam Rohrer (R), Chris Ross (R), Dante Santoni Jr. (D), Stan Saylor (R), Mario Scavello (R), John J. Siptroth (D), Curtis G. Sonney (R), Jerry Stern (R), RoseMarie Swanger (R), Will Tallman (R), Katie True (R), Mike Turzai (R), Mike Vereb (R), Katharine M. Watson (R) and John T. Yudichak (D), supported the bill.The House of Representatives on Sept. 29 voted 199-0 in favor of the change. Now, the Senate must vote on the proposal, which is now in the Senate Transportation Committee.Committee Chairman John C. Rafferty Jr. was unavailable. However, Executive Director Mark Meyer said that "Sen (David G.) Argall has been in contact with Sen. Rafferty, and he intends to bring the bill before the Senate as quickly as possible."State Sen. Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin, who took Rhoades' seat on the Education Committee, favors the proposal."I was honored to serve with my former colleague, Sen. Jim Rhoades, on the Senate Education Committee. I share what was Jim's passion for education and I am honored to succeed him as chairman although his loss was and is a tragedy for all who were touched by his life and service. I couldn't think of a better way to honor him than with the naming of this bridge in his former senatorial district," he said.The bridge was closed in August of 2009 for $5.9 million in upgrades. A small area at the Tilden end of the span would become the Sen. James A. Rhoades Riverview Memorial.The name change may disappoint some Hamburg residents who wanted the bridge to be named for a local Vietnam War hero, Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger. Etchberger was killed in action in Laos in March, 1968 and awarded the Medal of Honor on Sept. 21. Etchberger's sons, who accepted the medal on his behalf, have said they would not oppose naming the bridge for Rhoades, according to published reports.It will cost about $1,000 for the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain the bridge's name signs in both directions, according to Erik D. Randolph, senior analyst for the House Appropriations Committee. The signs typically last about 12-15 years, he said.Rhoades, who began his career as a teacher and football coach in the Pottsville and Mahanoy City school districts, was a colorful character who pulled no punches."Jim was super guy. We certainly miss him," Knowles said. "Jim represented the 29th District for about 28 years. I worked with him as mayor, as a councilman, as a county commissioner and as a staffer for state Rep. (and now state Senator) Argall."Knowles has fond memories of the late senator."Jim was viewed in Harrisburg as somewhat of a maverick. If Jim didn't agree with his leadership, he wasn't shy about telling them," he said.Knowles recalled Rhoades' habit of calling people "babe" and his loyalty to his constituents."He would always say, 'You can't forget who brought you to the dance, babe', meaning Rhoades represented the voters, not special interests," Knowles said.