SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44
(By Senators Chafin and Fanning)
Requesting that the Division of Highways name the new bridge in
Eckman, McDowell County, the "J. Knox McConnell Memorial
Bridge".
Whereas, J. Knox McConnell was a resident of McDowell County;
and
Whereas, J. Knox McConnell was a dynamic leader in his
community and contributed not only the citizens of McDowell County
but all of West Virginia; and
Whereas, He brought the First National Bank of Keystone from
obscurity to a five hundred, twenty-five million dollar asset
institution during his tenure as its president. His innovative
approach to banking captured the interests of financial
institutions around the world; and
Whereas, His concerns for the continued success of
financially-troubled towns and cities caused him to create an
innovative loan program that would allow financially-troubled
municipalities to borrow moneys against their projected business
and occupation taxes; and
Whereas, The philosophies of J. Knox McConnell were included
in an eleven step process that he called "packing your parachute",
a catch phrase he used because of his earlier military career. He
became known for his steps to success and traveled on national speaking engagements, delivering his recipe for success; and
Whereas, Although the life of this successful community leader
and businessman came to an end, he left behind a legacy for others
to follow in his steps to success; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the West Virginia Division of Highways
to name the new bridge at Eckman, McDowell County, West Virginia the "J. Knox
McConnell Memorial Bridge", in tribute to a man who gave of himself
for the betterment of his community and its people; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this concurrent resolution to the West Virginia DivDivision of
Highways, the Secretary of Transportation and the family of the
late J. Knox McConnell.