HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 25

(By Delegates Hollen, Criss, Deem, Kelly, Anderson, Cooper, Phillips, McGeehan, Atkinson and Butler)

[Introduced January 22, 2018; Referred to the Committee on Rules]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on WV Route 14 over Slate Creek, bridge number 54-14-0.64 (54A193), locally known as Slate Bridge, in Wood County, the "U. S. Army SPC David A. Hess Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, U.S. Army Specialist David A. Hess was born on April 28, 1985, in Charleston, to Kathryn Dowler and Jeffrey Hess; and

Whereas, Specialist Hess grew up in the Slate Creek area of Wood County. He attended the Mineral Wells Elementary School, Edison Junior High, and Parkersburg South High School and graduated in May 2003. While in school, he was active in sports, playing football, baseball, and wrestled. Specialist Hess spent his spare time umpiring girls’ softball games in Mineral Wells, and fishing near the Slate Creek Bridge; and

Whereas, Specialist Hess joined the United States Army in 2008 and served with the 101st Airborne. He was awarded the Gold Star, two Purple Hearts, the War on Terrorism Medal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for his service; and

Whereas, Specialist Hess’ unit was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010 to assist in the war on terrorism; and

Whereas, On October 10, 2010 while in Afghanistan, Specialist Hess’ unit was on patrol in Kabul and he was riding in the lead vehicle. His vehicle was crossing a bridge that had been cleared for any explosives just seven minutes prior. While crossing the bridge an IED exploded, taking his life; and

Whereas, Specialist Hess is survived by his parents, his wife Diane Hess, his son Bryon and two sisters; and

Whereas, Naming that bridge on WV Route 14, bridge number 54-14-0.64 (54A193), locally known as Slate Bridge, in Wood County, the "U. S. Army SPC David A. Hess Memorial Bridge" is an appropriate recognition of his selfless service to his country and having made the ultimate sacrifice; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge on WV Route 14 over Slate Creek, bridge number 54-14-0.64 (54A193), locally known as Slate Bridge, in Wood County, the "U. S. Army SPC David A. Hess Memorial Bridge "; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the ""U. S. Army SPC David A. Hess Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

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