SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45

(By Senators Beach, Unger, Williams, Kessler (Mr. President), Browning, Jenkins and Stollings)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 25-64/01-0.04, in Marion County, the “Nick Fantasia Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Nick Fantasia was born January 3, 1923, grew up in Kingmont, West Virginia, and graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1941. He served in the United States Army as a Corporal in the Medical Corp during World War II. He graduated from Fairmont State in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He married Carmella Fantasia in June 1949 and had six children: George, Rosemary, Nicolena, Gina, Annette, and Nick; and

    Whereas, Nick Fantasia served as President of the Kingmont Mine Local UMWA. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1955 with a Master of Arts in Education Administration. He worked for Marion County Schools from August 1949 to June 1986, serving as principle at Kingmont, Watson, Barnes and East Park schools; and

    Whereas, Nick Fantasia was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates for twelve terms from November 1954 to December 1998, serving as Chair or Vice Chair on all major committees. He floor managed the Mine Health and Safety Act following the Farmington #9 explosion, cowrote and floor managed the Pop-Tax to fund West Virginia University Hospitals, wrote and floor managed the bill to fund Marion Health Care Hospital and sponsored numerous bills during his time at the Legislature including funding to construct the Fairmont State Feaster Center, library expansion and Hardway Hall expansion and funding for the Benton’s Ferry Bridge, Route 73 upgrade and Delta system expansion; and

    Whereas, Nick Fantasia owned and operated Fairmont Broadcasting - WTCS Radio from 1955 to 1992 and was inducted into the West Virginia Radio and Television Hall of Fame’s first class of broadcasters in 2006; and

    Whereas, It is fitting to honor Nick Fantasia for his life-long service to our state and his community and the naming of a bridge honoring Nick Fantasia’s exemplary life 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 25-64/01-0.04, in Marion County, the “Nick Fantasia 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 “Nick Fantasia Memorial Bridge”; 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, the Commissioner of Highways and to the family of Nick Fantasia.