HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 105

(By Delegate Boggs)




Requesting that the bridge between mile markers 54 and 55 on Interstate 79 in Braxton County, West Virginia be named the "Ray P. Reip Memorial Bridge."

     Whereas, Ray P. Reip was born in Braxton County, West Virginia in 1919 on his parent's farm; and
     Whereas, Ray Reip would walk several miles through countryside and then cross the Elk River by boat to attend high school; and
     Whereas, Ray Reip served in the United States Navy during World War II as an aviation radioman, and, after his honorable discharge, Ray returned to his beloved farm in Braxton County where he married his wife and had two daughters; and
     Whereas, Following in his father's footsteps, Ray Reip was a farmer, that any neighbor could rely on day or night for his help; and
     Whereas, With the decision to build Interstate 79, Interstate 79 would transect Ray's farm, taking his homestead, three barns, three ponds and land locking approximately 30 acres; and
     Whereas, Ray worked hard to provide for his family, and always loved living in West Virginia, which he truly believed was the next best place to Heaven; and     
     Whereas, Betty, Ray's surviving wife, served as a marine in World War II and is one of the oldest female veterans of World War II in Braxton County, West Virginia; and
     Whereas, Ray P. Reip was a wonderful husband, a loving father, a loyal neighbor, and served his community unselfishly, his country with honor and distinction; therefore, be it
     Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the the bridge between mile markers 54 and 55 on Interstate 79 in Braxton County, West Virginia, the "Ray P. Reip Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the "Ray P. Reip Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, Mr. Reip's wife, Betty Reip and his two daughters, Barbara Morgan and Donna Pierson.