HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65

(By Delegates Skaff, Guthrie, Wells, Poore, Raines,

                 E. Nelson, McCuskey and Hunt)

Requesting the Division of Highways to rename the Ruth Bridge over Trace Fork of Davis Creek, bridge number 20-214-5.35 on Route 214 in Kanawha County, the "USAF Airman First Class Jimmie Stewart Pauley Memorial Bridge".

    Whereas, Mr. Pauley was born on June 27, 1935 in South Charleston; and

    Whereas, Mr. Pauley spent his youth in Ruth, West Virginia where he attended a one room schoolhouse; and

    Whereas, After graduating from Washington District High School Mr. Pauley worked at an A&P Grocery store; and

    Whereas, Mr. Pauley joined the United States Air Force as an Airman Basic and was stationed in Charleston; and

    Whereas, In May 1954 Mr. Pauley transferred to Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia where he received a series promotions and attained the rank of Airman First Class; and

    Whereas, Mr. Pauley served as an Honor Guard in May 1957 when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip came to Virginia to celebrate the 350th Anniversary of Jamestown and later that year in October, he was awarded the National Medal of Defense and the Good Conduct Medal; and

    Whereas, In November 1957, Mr. Pauley was transferred to Charleston to serve in the Air Force Reserve and after an Honorable Discharge in 1961, he continued to serve in the Army National Guard in Charleston until his Honorable Discharge in October 1964; and

    Whereas, On October 13, 1956 Mr. Pauley married Norma Jean Foster and together they raised three children, Jimmie Stewart Pauley, Jr., Deborah Pauley and Cheryl Pauley; and

    Whereas, Following his discharge in 1964, Mr. Pauley continued to work in the grocery industry followed by several years in the construction business; and

    Whereas, Throughout his life Mr. Pauley was known as a kind and generous man who liked to hunt and loved his family above all; and

    Whereas, Mr. Pauley’s life, as well as the life of his son, Jimmie Pauley, Jr., suddenly ended on May 15, 1979 when the scaffold on which they were working at Mountaineer Power Plant in New Haven collapsed; and

    Whereas, It is fitting to honor Mr. Pauley for his commitment, dedication and service to his country and his state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to rename the Ruth Bridge over Trace Fork of Davis Creek, bridge number 20-214-5.35 on Route 214 in Kanawha County, the "USAF Airman First Class Jimmie Stewart Pauley 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 "USAF Airman First Class Jimmie Stewart Pauley 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 and the family of Jimmie Stewart Pauley.