HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36
(By Delegate Kuhn)
[Introduced March 28, 2001; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the
new bridge located at Racine, Boone County, off State Route
3, crossing the Big Coal River, on County Route 3/25 known
as Indian Creek Road, the George R. "Crook" Clendenen
Bridge.
WHEREAS, George Clendenen was born and lived as a child 300
feet from the bridge, and where his father operated a repair shop
at the end of the bridge on WV Route 3. This is where he got the
name "Crook" for telling his father people were stealing his
tools; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen was born on May 23, 1919 and
married Lillian Miller in January 1942 and 59 years later they
are still very much in love. They have three children, James
Clendenen, Sharon Clendenen Estep, and William Clendenen. They
also have five grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen served his country during WWII as
a member of "C" Company 743rd Tank Battalion, 30th Division, Ninth Army which led the attack on Omaha Beach some forty minutes prior
to any other units arriving on the beach. On D-Day Mr. Clendenen
received the Presidential Unit Citation and the Indian Arrow Head
Award , which was one of five Battle Stars he would receive
during WWII. Mr. Clendenen would also receive the Purple Heart
for his injuries he received later in WWII. Mr. Clendenen was in
every major battle in Europe except for the last five weeks of
the war. His unit was the first to enter Omaha Beach, France,
Belgium, Holland, and Germany; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen returned from WWII and worked at
the DuPont Plant at Belle, WV for thirty years before retirement.
Mr. Clendenen was busy with community involvement with his forty
years of association with the Boy Scouts of America, serving 14
years as the President of the Boone County Veterans Memorial
Association, and his twenty-eight years as one of the charter
members of the Racine Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen was honored in 2000 by being named
Assistant Chief for life by the Board of Directors of the fire
department and as Officer of the Millennium by the membership.
After being one of the nine charter members of the fire
department he has led them to their current 17,000 square foot
station and 2.5 acre complex with a net worth of $1,500,000; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen has a life time membership in the following organizations: the DuPont Activities Association, the
Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, the Knights of Pythias, and the Racine Volunteer
Fire Department. Mr. Clendenen was named Outstanding Citizen in
1999 by the Kentucky Fried Chicken Organization for his community
involvement and service; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Boone County hold Mr. Clendenen in
the highest regard for his devotion to his community, and for his
great historical knowledge of Boone County and the State of West
Virginia; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen has had a positive influence on
young people over years and has been credited for keeping many of
them on the right path, and instilling values in their lives for
being involved in community service and respect for our State.
His influence is why the Racine Volunteer Fire Department
currently has over fifty active members, many of whom hold high
positions in private and governmental agencies; and
WHEREAS, George Clendenen truly reflects the spirit of West
Virginia by his devotion to his community, county, and state. By
teaching others the need to provide and protect your neighbors he
has made his community a better place to live. The logo for the
Racine Volunteer fire Department "To Serve and To Protect" is a
direct representation of Mr. Clendenen.
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the new bridge on County Route 3/25 or Indian Creek
Road adjacent to State Route 3, which crosses the Big Coal River
in Racine, Boone County, West Virginia be named the George R.
"Crook" Clendenen Bridge, in honor of this fine, upstanding
citizen of this State; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Mr.
Clendenen and his family members, the Racine Boy Scout troop, the
Racine Volunteer Fire Department, the DuPont Activities
Association, Nancy L. Belcher, and to the commissioner of
highways; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Division of
Highways provide and erect a sign at either end of the bridge
identifying the bridge as the George R. "Crook" Clendenen Bridge.