SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 70
(By Senator Unger)
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 02-13-1.56
(4913) in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, the "C. Vincent
Townsend, Sr., Bridge".
Whereas, C. Vincent Townsend, Sr., was born in Martinsburg,
Berkeley County, on May 25, 1923, the son of Clarence William and
Roxie Mae Townsend; and
Whereas, C. Vincent Townsend, Sr., graduated from Martinsburg
High School, Potomac State College, West Virginia University and
the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Townsend served as a
physician in the United States Navy at the Portsmouth Naval
Hospital and on the USS Adirondack, an amphibious command ship,
during the Korean War; and
Whereas, Dr. Townsend has practiced internal medicine and
cardiology for more than 40 years in his hometown of Martinsburg;
and
Whereas, Dr. Townsend was awarded the West Virginia State
Medical Association "Physician of the Year Award" in 2000 and Dr.
Townsend helped establish the local Heart Association, a pediatric
heart clinic and the Shriner's Hospital Evaluation and Fund drives.
He also acted as a cardiology consultant at the local Veterans' Administration hospital. Former Governor Jay Rockefeller appointed
Dr. Townsend as Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services in
regions eight and nine and, in this capacity, he participated in
the establishment of the 911 service and a paramedic training
program; and
Whereas, Dr. Townsend has served as Master of his local
Freemason lodge in Martinsburg and is a past Grandmaster of the
Grand Lodge of West Virginia. He has enjoyed a long and active
membership in the local Rotary Club. Other positions and
affiliations include the presidency of King's Daughter's Hospital
and City Hospital staff, Eastern Panhandle Medical Society, Eastern
Panhandle Heart Association, Junior Board of Trade, Eastern
Panhandle Shrine Club, Burke Street School PTA and Medical College
of Virginia Valley Chapter and West Virginia Chapter. He is a past
director of the local Chamber of Commerce, past director of the
West Virginia Heart Association, past director of Old National Bank
and One Valley Bank and director emeritus of Branch Banking and
Trust. He has been a member of the Sons of the American
Revolution, Elks, Sons of Confederate Veterans, American Legion and
numerous other organizations, not the least of which is the
Exhausted Roosters which, in 1972, gave him honor by naming him the
Exuberant Gizzard of the Exhausted Roosters; and
Whereas, Dr. Townsend and his wife of 57 years, Sarah Francis,
have three sons: Clarence Vincent Townsend, Jr., a hospital administrator, Gary Miles Townsend, a physician and attorney, and
Robin Wade Townsend, a doctor of veterinary medicine. Dr. Townsend
and his wife also have seven grandchildren; and
Whereas, Dr. Townsend has devoted his life and energies to his
family, his medical profession, his patients, his community, the
State of West Virginia and his country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
to name bridge number 02-13-1.56 (4913) in Martinsburg, Berkeley
County, the "C. Vincent Townsend, Sr., 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 "C. Vincent Townsend, Sr., 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 to Dr. C. Vincent Townsend,
Sr.