COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

House Concurrent Resolution No. 20

(By Delegates L. Phillips, Arvon, R. Phillips, Rodighiero, H. White

and B. White )

(Originating in the House Committee on Roads and Transportation)

[February 16, 2015]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name U. S. Route 54/6 in Wyoming County the “U. S. Army Major Woodrow Cook and Virginia Cook Memorial Road”.

            Whereas, Woodrow Cook was born July 26, 1914 in Pineville, West Virginia. He was an educated and dedicated citizen, who served five years in the United States Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. He served in England in the Quartermaster Corps, where he attained the rank of Major. When World War II ended, Major Cook returned to Wyoming County, where became a successful businessman. He was a dedicated public servant who served as Mayor of Mullens from July 1954 until June 1962, and served on the Wyoming County Commission from January 1963 until November 1979. After a long life of serving his community, he died at the age of 96 on February 25, 2004; and

            Whereas, Virginia Cook was born on August 25, 1918, in Mullens, Wyoming County, to Bob and Gertrude Wildey. She graduated from Mullens High School in 1935 as the salutatorian of her class and then became a West Virginia University Mountaineer in 1937. Virginia returned to her beloved native town, married Woodrow Cook at the Presbyterian Church in August, 1940, and served as an inspirational home economics teacher for over thirty-three years at Mullens High School; and

            Whereas, Woodrow and Virginia Cook continued their outstanding public service to Wyoming County and the City of Mullens following their retirements. Virginia Cook, since the death of Woodrow has continued to remain a passionate and community-minded woman, including establishing an endowment at the Beckley Area Foundation for the beautification of Mullens for future generations. The contributions of these two community leaders and loyal West Virginians should not go unnoticed and should be remembered; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name U. S. Route 54/6 in Wyoming County the “U. S. Army Major Woodrow Cook and Virginia Cook Memorial Road”; 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 “U. S. Army Major Woodrow Cook and Virginia Cook Memorial Road”; 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, to the Wyoming County Commission and to Mrs. Virginia Cook and her children, Barbara Cook Bean and Lucinda Cook Chagnon.