State and local officials gathered to rename the 13th Street Bridge over the Bushkill Creek in Easton after James Prendergast, a former state legislator who represented the area for two decades.
Prendergast served as state representative for the 136th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1958 to 1978. During his time in Harrisburg, colleagues elected him to several terms in House Democratic leadership, including positions as majority whip, caucus chairman and administrator.
“Jim was always willing to help the people of Northampton County and I learned quickly that he was a dedicated and respected legislator in Harrisburg,” said state Rep. Robert Freeman, who currently holds the 136th District seat and sponsored the bridge-naming legislation.
Before his political career, Prendergast served as a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, receiving the Navy Cross and two Purple Hearts. He later established himself as a successful attorney in Easton before his death on April 29, 1985.
Members of Prendergast’s family attended the ceremony alongside officials from the state Transportation Department and various local and state representatives, including state Rep. Tim Brennan, D-Bucks, who co-sponsored the legislation with Freeman.
Brennan highlighted Prendergast’s commitment to public service, stating, “To serve is the heart of citizenship and the mark of a life lived meaningfully. It is important to recognize, today and every day, that the good lives we enjoy as Americans are only possible because of such men and women who selflessly serve their country and communities. Representative Prendergast was an exceptional example of a life lived according to these values.”
Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by Pennsylvania state Rep. Robert Freeman’s office. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.