HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12

(By Delegate R. Phillips)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on County Route 44 in Logan County, bridge number 23-44-11.44 (23A309), latitude 37.78883, longitude -81.99244, locally known as the Switzer Monty Bro Bridge, the "US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. Bridge".

            Whereas, US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. was born on September 29, 1949 to Lorenzo Mendez and Gertrude Lett Mendez; and

            Whereas, US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. has lived almost his entire life in Logan County, and after graduating from Logan Senior High School in 1967 he married his high school sweetheart Mary L. Contreras and they have a daughter, Dr. Tamara M. Montgomery; and

            Whereas, US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. was inducted into the US Army on May 15, 1969 and after completing all required training was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11B Light Weapons Infantryman, serving in Vietnam from October 15, 1969 through October 13, 1970 with Company C 1st Battalion, 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division; and

            Whereas, US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. was honorably discharged on May 14, 1971, having been awarded The National Defense Service Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, with four bronze service stars, The Army Commendation Medal, The Bronze Star Medal, The Combat Infantryman Badge and The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm and 2 Unit Citations; and

            Whereas, US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. now makes his home in Omar, West Virginia with his wife Mary Contreras Mendez and has worked in the coal mining industry for 32 years, starting as a general laborer in 1971, holding several positions from electrician, section foreman, mine foreman and superintendent for different coal mining companies; and

            Whereas, In October 2003 US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. accepted an appointment with the United States Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration as a Federal Coal Mine Inspector and is presently a Coal Mine Inspector Supervisor in District 12 at the Logan Field Office; and

            Whereas, It is only fitting that we name this bridge to honor US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr.; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:

            That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name the bridge on County Route 44 in Logan County, bridge number 23-44-11.44 (23A309), latitude 37.78883, longitude -81.99244, locally known as the Switzer Monty Bro Bridge, the "US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. Bridge"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr. 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 US Army SP4 Lawrence Mendez, Jr.