HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 69

(By Delegate Morgan)




Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge crossing the Ohio River between Huntington, West Virginia and Proctorville, Ohio, also known as the East Huntington Bridge, "The Frank "Gunner" Gatski Memorial Bridge."

Whereas, Born in Farmington, West Virginia on March 13, 1922, Frank grew up in Number Nine Mine coal camp and then attended Farmington High School. He went to work in the coal mines immediately after graduating high school; and
Whereas, Upon entering Marshall University, he impressed coach Cam Henderson enough to win a starting position on the football team. At the same time Marshall University was forced to discontinue their football program for the duration of WWII, his Army Reserve Unit was activated; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski served two years in the Army Infantry in Europe. Upon returning, he finished his college career at Auburn University. He successfully tried out for the Cleveland Browns and was added to their roster at the beginning of the 1946 season; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 through 1956 and for the Detroit Lions for the 1957 season playing in eleven Championship games in those twelve seasons; and
Whereas, Throughout twenty years of playing football in high school, in college and professionally, he never missed a game or practice; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski worked as a scout for the Boston Patriots for four years before taking the job as that teams head coach and athletic director. He then began twenty-one years of coaching at the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys in Farmington; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was inducted into the Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame on September 25, 1985; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 1985; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name the bridge crossing the Ohio River between Huntington, West Virginia and Proctorville, Ohio, also known as the East Huntington Bridge, "The Frank "Gunner" Gatski Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "The Frank "Gunner" Gatski Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.