HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 50

(By Delegates Fragale, Iaquinta, Warner and Cann)


[Introduced February 21, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Commissioner of the Division of Highways to name the bridge crossing the West Fork River at Enterprise in Harrison County, the "Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny and PFC Michael Alonzo Wells Memorial Bridge."

Whereas, When this country needed its young men and women to serve in the Viet Nam War, two young men who lived only four houses apart in the town of Enterprise, Harrison County, faltered not in their duty as they saw it; and
Whereas, Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny and PFC Michael Alonzo Wells brought honor to their families, their community and this State by their determination and unflinching courage in the face of terrible adversity and eventually laid down their lives in combat; and
Whereas, While this State, Harrison County and the town of Enterprise lost a part of the future, the parents of Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny and John and James Halpenny, his brothers, his wife Linda Halpenny Sandy and Alonzo Harvey Wells and Edith Irene Wells, the parents of PFC Michael Alonzo Wells, his brothers Charlie and James Harvey Wells lost their sons, a brother and a husband; and
Whereas, Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny was born on June 11, 1945 and died October 13, 1968 during his tour of duty in Viet Nam and PFC Michael Alonzo Wells was born February 7, 1949 and died June 27, 1969 during his tour of duty in Viet Nam; and
Whereas, This country and the country of South Viet Nam awarded Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny the Viet Nam Defense Medal, the Viet Nam Republic Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Medal, the United States Brass Medal, the United States Infantry Brass Medal, the Bronze Star and the American Defense Medal and it awarded PFC Michael Alonzo Wells the Viet Nam Republic Medal, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, a third Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Medal; and
Whereas, We know these two young men live in the hearts they have left behind, but they have honored all of us by their sacrifice and it cannot go unnoticed; 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 crossing the West Fork River at Enterprise in Harrison County, the "Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny and PFC Michael Alonzo Wells Memorial Bridge" ; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways cause an appropriate sign to be placed at both ends of this bridge which designates the bridge the "Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny and PFC Michael Alonzo Wells Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, the members of Corporal Jerry Lee Halpenny and PFC Michael Alonzo Wells families.