HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 87

(By Delegates Hanna and Booth)

[February 21, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name the intersection of WV 82 and WV 20 in Cowan, Webster County, the “Joseph Allen Wyatt, Fire Chief of Cowen VFD Memorial Intersection”.

Whereas, Fire Chief Joseph Allen Wyatt graduated from Cowen High School in 1966. He attended Potomac State College and graduated from West Virginia University. He was in the United States Army Reserves for nearly 15 years, having achieved the rank of First Lieutenant; and

Whereas, Fire Chief Wyatt was a substitute teacher, worked for the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Commission before becoming Sanitarian for the Webster County Health Department. Fire Chief Wyatt later worked for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources as Assistant Director of Environmental Health, Infectious Medical Waste Division; and

Whereas, Fire Chief Wyatt had been a president of the West Virginia Public Health Association, a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Cowen, West Virginia, and had a first degree black belt of Budo Ki Karate; and

Whereas, Fire Chief Wyatt was active in the local volunteer Emergency Medical Services, and joined Cowen Volunteer Fire Department in the early1960s and spent more than 30 years as a member until he retired in the early 2000s. He also taught Firemanship 1, 2, and 3 as well as Hazardous Material Classes for RESA Certified EMT, and was a certified instructor for First Aid; and

Whereas, Fire Chief Wyatt was Fire Chief of the Cowen Volunteer Fire Department until he passed away in May of 2009; and

Whereas, Fire Chief Joseph Allen Wyatt’s life was an outstanding example of dedicated public service and it is fitting to name the intersection in Webster County, West Virginia, “Joseph Allen Wyatt, Fire Chief of Cowen VFD Memorial Intersection”; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the intersection of WV 82 and WV 20 in Cowan, Webster County, the “Joseph Allen Wyatt, Fire Chief of Cowen VFD Memorial Intersection”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying the intersection as the “Joseph Allen Wyatt, Fire Chief of Cowen Volunteer Fire Department Memorial Intersection”; and, be it

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