committee SUBSTITUTE

for

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 76

(By Delegates Rowe, Robinson, Pushkin, Byrd, Lane and White)

[Originating in the Committee on Rules]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 20-77/1-0.70 (20A237), locally known as Lower Fields Creek Bridge, carrying County Route 71/1 over Fields Creek in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Marine Corps LCpl Michael Linn Cooper Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Michael Linn Cooper, the son of Joseph A. and Eula T. Cooper of Chesapeake, Kanawha County, West Virginia, was born March 1, 1949; and

Whereas, Michael Linn Cooper enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 9, 1967, in Ashland, Kentucky; and

Whereas, LCpl Michael Linn Cooper arrived in Vietnam on February 16, 1968, where he began serving with Company E, 2^nd Battalion, 27^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division, (REIN) FMF; and

Whereas, During the month of August the battalion continued to patrol the “Rocket Belt” of their area of responsibility that surrounded the Da Nang Military Complex in Quang Nam Province; and

Whereas, On August 24, 1968, during an ongoing joint operation with the 51^st ARVN Regiment in the vicinity of the Qua Giang village complex and the Cam Le Bridge the Marines engaged the enemy in battle.  During the fire fight Lance Corporal Michael Linn Cooper was killed in action after receiving multiple fragmentation wounds; and

Whereas, It is appropriate to honor this Marine and his family for their sacrifice to the nation; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 20-77/1-0.70 (20A237), locally known as Lower Fields Creek Bridge, carrying County Route 71/1 over Fields Creek in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Marine Corps LCpl Michael Linn Cooper Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed at both ends of the bridge signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Marine Corps LCpl Michael Linn Cooper 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 Highways.