SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61

(By Senators Romano, Facemire and Stollings)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 17-79-117.174 on Interstate 79 in Anmoore, Harrison County, the "U. S. Army PFC Nick A. Cavallaro Memorial Bridge".

            Whereas, U. S. Army Private First Nick A. Cavallaro was born in Coulonia, Reggio Calabria, Italy, on October 28, 1920, and came to the United States in August, 1922, with his brother Celestino (Charley) and mother Maria Rosa Strangio Cavallaro and settled in Anmoore, West Virginia; and

            Whereas, When World War II broke out, Nick Cavallaro enlisted in the United States Army; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro participated in battles in North Africa and Sicily, Italy, and was one of the thousands of paratroopers dropped behind German lines the night before the invasion of Normandy, France; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro was scheduled to come home on leave when the Battle of the Bulge occurred and his leave was canceled; and

            Whereas, Sadly, Nick Cavallaro lost his life in the battle at Fosse, Belgium, on January 3, 1945, leaving behind his mother, brother, sister Louise and a host of other family and friends; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro was awarded two Purple Heart Medals, the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as various medals by the French and Belgian governments; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro was an Italian immigrant and citizen of Anmoore, West Virginia, and fought for his adopted country, the United States of America; and

            Whereas, It is only fitting that we name this bridge to honor U. S. Army Private First Class Nick A. Cavallaro having made the ultimate sacrifice; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name bridge number 17-79-117.174 on Interstate 79 in Anmoore, Harrison County, the "U. S. Army PFC Nick A. Cavallaro Memorial 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 “U. S. Army PFC Nick A. Cavallaro Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and U. S. Army Private First Class Nick A. Cavallaro's family.