SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19

(By Senators Stollings, Browning, Klempa, Plymale and McCabe)

Requesting the Division of Highways name WV 3 from the intersection with WV 94 to the Raleigh County Line the “John Protan Highway”.

    Whereas, John Protan was born December 5, 1920, at Holden, West Virginia, the son of the late Rose and Mike Protan; and

    Whereas, John Protan started working in the coal mines at the age of 17 to help support his family; and

    Whereas, John Protan, in December 1942, enlisted in the Navy, where he became known as the “Knockout King of West Virginia,” for his successful boxing career, in which he won numerous amateur championships and held two professional titles; and

    Whereas, John Protan returned with his wife Doris to Highcoal, West Virginia, and went back to work in the mines; and

    Whereas, John Protan was elected Constable and then Sheriff of Boone County in 1964, in what would be the beginning of a productive, dedicated career in public service; and

    Whereas, John Protan, during his terms as Sheriff of Boone County, was twice elected as President of the West Virginia Sheriff’s Association and served for 38 years as the Boone County Democratic Chairman; and

    Whereas, John Protan is a dedicated public servant and all West Virginians should be proud of his service to this state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways name WV 3 from the intersection with WV 94 to the Raleigh County Line the “John Protan Highway”; 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 “John Protan Highway”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to John Protan.