SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 51
(By Senators Plymale, Prezioso, Jenkins, Hunter and Harrison)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge crossing the
Ohio River between Huntington, Cabell County, and
Proctorville, Ohio, also known as the East Huntington Bridge,
the "Frank 'Gunner' Gatski Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Frank Gatski was born in Farmington, Marion County.
He grew up in Number Nine Mine coal camp and attended Farmington
High School. He went to work in the coal mines immediately after
graduating high school; and
Whereas, Upon entering Marshall College, Frank Gatski won a
starting position on the football team. After three seasons,
however, Marshall College was forced to discontinue its football
program for the duration of World War II; 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 then for the Detroit Lions for the 1957
season. He played in 11 championship games in 12 seasons, with his
team winning eight times; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was named to the All-NFL honor roll in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1955 and played as a starting center in the
1956 Pro Bowl; and
Whereas, Throughout 20 years of playing football in high
school, college and professionally, Frank Gatski never missed a
game or practice; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski worked as a scout for the Boston
Patriots for four years. He then embarked on a 21-year career as
coach and athletic director 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 Pro Football Hall
of Fame on August 3, 1985; and
Whereas, Sadly, on November 22, 2005, Frank Gatski passed
away; 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,
Cabell County, 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
"Frank 'Gunner' Gatski Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of
the Department of Transportation.