Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6
(By Senators Love, Schoonover, Oliverio
Ross, Bailey and Wooton)
Naming the new Chelyan bridge in honor of Vice Admiral T. J. "Joe"
Lopez.
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez was born in Powellton, West
Virginia, January 20, 1940; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez entered the U.S. Navy in
September, 1959, and was commissioned in December, 1964; and
Whereas, In 1969, Vice Admiral Lopez was assigned as
commanding officer of river division one five three in Vietnam,
where he commanded a joint U.S. and Vietnamese naval assault into
Cambodia in May, 1970; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez completed his education at the
Naval Postgraduate School in 1973 and then was ordered to a two-
year tour as flag secretary for commander cruiser destroyer group
eight in 1974. In 1977, Vice Admiral Lopez was reassigned as
executive officer of U.S.S. Truett and in 1982, Vice Admiral Lopez
assumed command of U.S.S. Stump, completing a Persian Gulf
deployment in 1983; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez served as executive assistant to the chief of naval personnel/deputy chief of naval operations and
served as deputy director for current operations in the office of
the joint chiefs of staff and as the senior military assistant to
the secretary of defense; and
Whereas, In July, 1992, Lopez was promoted to vice admiral and
commanded the United States sixth fleet and NATO's striking and
support forces in southern Europe from July, 1992, to December,
1993; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez wears the Defense Distinguished
Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, three Legions
of Merit, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy
Commendations Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action
Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation and numerous other unit and
campaign awards; and
Whereas, In recognition of his many accomplishments and
contributions, it is fitting and proper that the Legislature take
public note of the years of service to the nation by one of its
native sons; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the newly constructed bridge in Chelyan be named the
"Vice Admiral T. J. Lopez Bridge"; 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 and to the governor.