HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 35
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, Delegate Trump, and other members of
the House of Delegates)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name that section of
Interstate 64 from Charleston to Huntington as the "Cecil H.
Underwood Highway" with appropriate signs to be erected.
Whereas, Cecil H. Underwood began his career of public
service in 1944 when he was elected to the House of Delegates
from Tyler County; and
Whereas, Cecil H. Underwood served six terms in the House of
Delegates, the last four terms as Minority Leader; and
Whereas, In 1956 Cecil H. Underwood was elected Governor of
the State of West Virginia at the age of thirty-four to become
the youngest governor in the State's history; and
Whereas, A federal highway program was created in 1956 to
respond to the need for an interstate highway system to meet the
needs of a rapidly growing nation; and
Whereas, In 1957, not long after the passage of the
Interstate Highway Act, Cecil H. Underwood signed the State's
first construction contract using interstate funding for a
section of Interstate 64 in Cabell County; and
Whereas, Governor Cecil H. Underwood recognized the impact of
a modern highway system on the American way of life and also
broke ground for sections of Interstate 77 and Interstate 81 in
1958; and
Whereas, Governor Cecil H. Underwood became known as the
"Father of West Virginia's Interstate Highway System"; and
Whereas, Cecil H. Underwood was again elected Governor in
1996 to become the oldest governor in the State's history; and
Whereas, Cecil H. Underwood has long known the importance of
a good highway system and soon after taking office announced the
upgrade of Interstate 64 from four to six lanes; and
Whereas, Cecil H. Underwood has devoted his life to public
service for the citizens of West Virginia, including efforts to
improve West Virginia's infrastructure and highways system; and
Whereas, It is only fitting that Governor Cecil H. Underwood
should be honored by the designation of this section of
Interstate 64 as the "Cecil H. Underwood Highway" as a fitting
tribute to his everlasting love and dedication to the State of
West Virginia and his efforts to build a strong infrastructure
system; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia Legislature acknowledges and commends
Cecil H. Underwood for his lifelong commitment to public service
for the citizens of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature
acknowledges and commends the contribution of Cecil H. Underwood
to the prosperity and welfare of West Virginia in the form of his
dedication to the creation of and improvements to West Virginia's
Interstate Highway System; and, be it
Further Resolved, That in recognition of Cecil H.
Underwood's work to create and improve West Virginia's Interstate
Highway System, the West Virginia Legislature deems it to be
fitting that the section of Interstate 64 from Charleston to
Huntington be hereafter known as the "Cecil H. Underwood Highway"
and that appropriate signs so designating this highway be
erected; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Cecil H.
Underwood and to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.