HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 87

(By Delegate Guthrie)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on Brounland Road, crossing Brier Creek in Kanawha County, bridge number 20-15-2.64, as the “James Paul Harrison WWII Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, James Paul Harrison was born on October 22, 1922, in Olcott, Kanawha County, West Virginia, died on October 26, 2007, was a life long resident of Kanawha County and, following in his father’s footsteps, a member of the United Mineworkers of America; and

    Whereas, James Paul Harrison was married to Arlene Williams, a life long resident of Kanawha County, with whom he had ten children; and

    Whereas, James Paul Harrison was a private in the United States Army, serving with Company A, 237^th Engineer Combat Battalion and performing many heroic feats including, in June, 1944, landing on Normandy Beach, carrying 20 pounds of explosives strapped to his body, pressing towards a huge wall the Germans had erected to block the Allied tanks, flattening the dynamite against the wall, lighting the fuse and exploding the walls so the Allied tanks could get through; and

    Whereas, James Paul Harrison continued with relentless bravery during the Normandy invasion, assisting his Company all the way to Berlin, blowing up three bridges along the way; and

    Whereas, James Paul Harrison was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the American Theater Service Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, the Bronze Arrowhead, the World War II Victory Ribbon and the Label Button, all earned for his brave service in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe, Belgium and Holland; and

    Whereas, It is fitting to honor James Paul Harrison for his courageous and selfless service to our nation and the world; and

    Whereas, The naming of a bridge in honor of James Paul Harrison’s bravery and exemplary service is but a small gesture of gratitude and appreciation; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name bridge number 20-15-2.64 on Brounland Road, crossing Brier Creek, in Kanawha County, as the “James Paul Harrison WWII 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 “James Paul Harrison WWII 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; to Mr. Harrison’s surviving children, Pete Harrison, Richard Harrison, Brent Harrison, Mona Taylor, Arletta Anderson, Delora McCormick, Dewana Flowers and Geneva DeBord; and to next of kin of Mr. Harrison’s deceased children, Cameron and Teresa Harrison, if next of kin are not already identified as surviving children.