HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 16

(By Delegates C. Miller, Maynard, Butler, Rohrbhach, Sobonya, Romine, C. Hornbuckle and Higginbotham)

[Introduced February 21, 2017]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name Bridge Number 06-64-29.44 EBWB (06A158-06A203) (38.42408, -82.09272), locally known as Lee Creek I-64 Bridge, carrying Interstate 64 over Lee Creek and County Route 60/19 in Cabell County the “Charles Ranald Bannerman & Beatrice ‘Billy’ Bannerman Memorial Bridge.”

Whereas, Charles Ranald and Beatrice "Billy" Bannerman settled in the Lee Creek area of Cabell Co. in 1950, purchasing 60 acres, upon which they made improvements and made their home for more than 60 years; and

Whereas, Ranald Bannerman was employed at Union Carbide Corporation as a purchasing agent and engineer during his nearly twenty years of employment there and contributed greatly to the intellectual property and economic development of the company by developing new technologies; and

Whereas, Ranald Bannerman was civically minded and involved in the growth and development of the Milton area through his involvement with the Milton Lions Club, Boy Scout Pack #96 as a Scout Leader, and served a Neighborhood Commissioner for the Tri-State Area Council, BSA; and

Whereas, “Billy” Bannerman independently pursued the knowledge and skills needed to perpetuate the heritage arts of weaving, spinning, natural dying, and processing flax to linen, mentoring many others in this important cultural tradition; and

Whereas, “Billy” Bannerman participated in and was a significant influence in the development and growth of the Mountain State Arts & Craft Fair in Ripley, WV for more than thirty- five years, where she is honored in the Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Ranald and “Billy” Bannerman donated, time, energy, and resources in support of various cave rescue operations throughout Southern West Virginia, often working long hours preparing meals to feed the many volunteers and hosted rescue training sessions on their property; and

Whereas, Ranald and “Billy” Bannerman were organizing members and actively involved in the building of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Ona, WV; and

Whereas, Ranald and ”Billy” Bannerman relinquished approximately eighteen acres of their property for the construction of 1-64, which ultimately bisected their property at milepost 29.44; and

Whereas, Ranald and “Billy” Bannerman adopted the city of Milton, county of Cabell, and the State of West Virginia as their home, embracing the rich, cultural heritage and natural resources of the area and were proud to call themselves West Virginians; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name Bridge Number 06-64-29.44 EBWB (06A158-06A203) (38.42408, -82.09272), locally known as Lee Creek I-64 Bridge, carrying Interstate 64 over Lee Creek and County Route 60/19 in Cabell County the “Charles Ranald Bannerman & Beatrice “Billy” Bannerman Memorial Bridge” ; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "Charles Ranald Bannerman & Beatrice ‘Billy’ Bannerman Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.