HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43

(By Delegates H. White and Kominar)

[Introduced February 22, 2002; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge located in Airport Bottom outside of Delbarton, Mingo County, West Virginia, the "Jess and Betty Adkins Bridge."

Whereas, Jess Adkins and Betty Adkins were lifelong residents of the Pigeon Creek area in Airport Bottom near Delbarton, Mingo County, West Virginia, and epitomize the best of West Virginia and her citizens; Jess Adkins, who was born in the former community of O'Keefe, West Virginia, was a hard working coal miner during his work years and Betty Adkins, who was born at Ragland, West Virginia, was a housewife and homemaker, and they were the parents of five children; besides their own children they raised four of their grandchildren and always had room in their home to, and did, raise other children, whether related by blood or not; and
Whereas, Jess and Betty Adkins were participating and contributing members of their community all of their lives, with Jess Adkins passing in June, 1978, at age 85 and Betty Adkins passing in January, 1999; they were not wealthy in material belongings, but they were loved by their natural family members, their extended family and neighbors beyond measure; and
Whereas, The new bridge that spans Pigeon Creek in Airport Bottom near Delbarton is unnamed; and
Whereas, The families and residents of this area desire that this bridge be officially recognized as the "Jess and Betty Adkins Bridge"; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the bridge which crosses Pigeon Creek in Airport Bottom near Delbarton, Mingo County, West Virginia, the "Jess and Betty Adkins Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways cause an appropriate sign to be placed at either end of this bridge which designates the bridge as the "Jess and Betty Adkins Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this concurrent resolution to the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, and the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.