COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23

(By Mr. Speaker (Delegate Armstead))

(Originating in the House Committee on Roads and Transportation)

[March 9, 2015]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge numbers 20-79-15.46, northbound and southbound (20A510 and 20A511), latitude 38.50136, longitude -81.41475, locally known as I-79 Wills Creek Overpass 2674 Bridges Northbound and Southbound, carrying Interstate 79 over County Route 53 and Wills Creek in Kanawha County, as the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Clayton Andrew Craft Memorial Bridge”.

            Whereas, PFC Clayton Andrew Craft was born on May 30, 1949, in Charleston, West Virginia, the son of Raymond W. Craft and Faye D. Nunley; and

            Whereas, PFC Clayton Andrew Craft grew up near Clendenin, West Virginia, and graduated in 1967 from Herbert Hoover High School; and

            Whereas, Following his graduation from high school, PFC Clayton Andrew Craft enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on August 9, 1967, in Ashland, Kentucky, and received his basic military training in California; and

            Whereas, PFC Clayton Andrew Craft arrived in the Republic of Vietnam on January 18, 1968, where he was assigned for duty with Company D, 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment; and

            Whereas, On April 8, 1968, while on patrol in the Thua Thien Province of the Republic of Vietnam, PFC Clayton Andrew Craft was wounded and killed by a hostile explosive device; and

            Whereas, During his service in the United States Marine Corps, PFC Clayton Andrew Craft received the following decorations and awards: Purple Heart with two Gold Stars; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device; Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; and Gold Star Lapel Button; and

            Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate PFC Clayton Andrew Craft, a native son who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his state and his country, by naming the bridges in his honor; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:

            That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name bridge numbers 20-79-15.46, northbound and southbound (20A510 and 20A511), latitude 38.50136, longitude -81.41475, locally known as I-79 Wills Creek Overpass 2674 Bridges Northbound and Southbound, carrying Interstate 79 over County Route 53 and Wills Creek in Kanawha County, as the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Clayton Andrew Craft Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying both bridges, northbound and southbound, as the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Clayton Andrew Craft 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 and to the members of the American Legion Post 61 in Clendenin, West Virginia.