HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 107

(By Delegates  Robinson, Estep-Burton and Rowe)

[Introduced February 25, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number: 20-060/00-028.94 (20A347), (38.22929, -81.53375) locally known as 13th St Overpass, carrying US 60 over CR 60/18 in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Army SSG Elson M. Kuhn Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Elson Merrill Kuhn, was born on September 28, 1921, in Bim, West Virginia and attended Van High School, served in the First Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, in the Pacific Theater comprising of the Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia and the occupation force in Japan during World War II as duration duty orders entering in 1942 and honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on January 14, 1946; and

Whereas, After serving in the Army four years, Elson returned to West Virginia to work for the coal industry in an industrial baseball league which was popular after the post-war era and remained employed in the mining industry for a forty-year career after the coal company sought his talents as an electrician, of which he became licensed by the State and Federal government; and

Whereas, Before his army career, during his working life, and after his retirement, Elson contributed significantly to the build and upkeep of Kanawha State Forest through his membership in the Civilian Conservation Corps No. 2599 S76 Camp at Kanawha State Forest in assisting in building the recreation areas and the infrastructure, including the dam, roads, fire towers, bridges, restrooms, picnic shelters, and the log home of the superintendent in addition to raising funds, building shelters, replacing dilapidated foot bridges, and holding reunions at Kanawha State Forest; and

Whereas, Elson Merrill Kuhn, died after a long illness, Tuesday, September 9, 2003, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, West Virginia. He died at the age of 81, leaving behind a wife of 56 years, seven children, 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two siblings and many nieces and nephews; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Army SSG Elson M. Kuhn and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number: 20-060/00-028.94 (20A347), (38.22929, -81.53375) locally known as 13th St Overpass, carrying US 60 over CR 60/18 in Kanawha County,  the “U. S. Army SSG Elson M. Kuhn Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army SSG Elson M. Kuhn Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.