COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 50

(By Senators Miller, Laird, Plymale, Jenkins, Green, Cole, Unger and Wells)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name that stretch of road on State Route 20 known as the Hinton Bypass between Beech Run Road and Temple Street in Hinton, Summers County, the “USMC Sgt. Mecot E. Camara Memorial Highway”.

    Whereas, Mecot Eugene Camara was born in Hinton, West Virginia, on December 28, 1960, to Billie Jean Hoskins Camara, of American ancestry, and Prudencio Camara, of Philippine ancestry. He was raised and educated in Hinton where he met his high school sweetheart, Tammy Ratliff. They eventually married on May 5, 1981. They had a son, Mecot Echo Camara, born on March 29, 1982; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Mecot E. Camara enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps to serve the country he loved in 1981. He commenced basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, on January 21, 1981, completing his training on April 4, 1981. This proud and passionate American then served his country for two years, sacrificing his life after going into Beirut in 1983 as a member of the International Peacekeeping Force in May, 1983. Sgt. Mecot E. Camara lost his life in October, 1983, during a terrorist suicide bombing. He received awards and service recognition including Meritorious Mast, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. However, his greatest military achievement was that of being a distinguished U. S. Marine Corps sergeant; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Mecot E. Camara was survived by two beautiful sisters and one son, Threase Camara Riggs, Elisa M. Camara and Mecot Echo Camara. The Camara family continues to share the legacy of their beloved Sgt. Camara to inspire West Virginians and Americans that they can be heroes even from small towns and serve and be proud of America, Land of the Free, while also protecting innocent lives around the world; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Mecot E. Camara made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and in doing so represented West Virginia and his country with the highest levels of honor and courage and his sacrifice should not go unnoticed, and naming that stretch of road on State Route 20 known as the Hinton Bypass between Beech Run Road and Temple Street in Hinton, Summers County, the “USMC Sgt. Mecot E. Camara Memorial Highway” is an appropriate recognition of his patriotism, love of liberty and ultimate sacrifice for state and country; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name that stretch of road on State Route 20 known as the Hinton Bypass between Beech Run Road and Temple Street in Hinton, Summers County, the “USMC Sgt. Mecot E. Camara Memorial Highway”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to create signs at both ends of the highway, proclaiming this roadway to be the “USMC Sgt. Mecot Camara Memorial Road Highway”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, the Summers County commission and to Sgt. Camara's sisters, Threase Camara Riggs and Elisa M. Camara, and his son, Mecot Camara.