SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44

(By Senators Prezioso, Stollings, Kessler (Mr. President), Cann, Beach and Edgell)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 25-79-138.77 (25A145), on the northbound lane of I-79 at Exit 139, in Marion County, the “Junior Slaughter Bridge”.

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter was born January 18, 1929, in Fairmont, the son of the late William and Liddia Ann Hawkins Slaughter and Reba Mosier; and

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter served in the United States Navy on the USS Timbalier, and was stationed in Trinidad before returning to Fairmont to join the Fairmont City Police Department; and

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter served on the Fairmont City Police Department for over twenty years before retiring as lieutenant in charge of the detective division; and

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter subsequently served six years as Chief Deputy of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, two terms as Sheriff of Marion County, one term as a magistrate in Marion County and was reelected for an additional two terms as Sheriff of Marion County; and

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter was a member of the Benton’s Ferry United Methodist Church and was active in numerous other organizations in Marion County, including Moose Lodge No. 9, Lions Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, BPOE No. 294, VFW No. 7048, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 69, United Mine Workers Association, AFL-CIO, President of the Marion County Democratic Men’s Club, Marion County Democratic Executive Committee, Associated Businesses of East Fairmont, American Legion, National Rifle Association and a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross. In addition, he was a member of the AF&AM No. 157 in Fairmont. He was a noble in the Osiris Shrine Center in Wheeling and was a past President and member of the Upper Monongahela Valley Shrine Club in Fairmont; and

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter enjoyed West Virginia University football, traveling and spending time with his family and friends; and

    Whereas, Sadly, Junior Slaughter passed away in Fairmont on August 18, 2011, at the age of eighty-two; and

    Whereas, Junior Slaughter was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Gay Slaughter, in 1995. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John and Sharlene Slaughter of Benton’s Ferry Community; by three daughters, Martha Furbee of Benton’s Ferry Community, Carolyn Ledsome of Montana Mines Community and Beverly Thomas of Mount Harmony Community; one sister, Vivian Riley of Worthington; and his best friend and companion, Shirley Heston of Fairmont. He is also survived by six grandchildren, five great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; and

    Whereas, It is only fitting and proper that we name this bridge on I-79 for Junior Slaughter to honor his many years of dedicated public service to the City of Fairmont, to Marion County and to the greater north central region of this state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 25-79-138.77 (25A145), on the northbound lane of I-79 at Exit 139, in Marion County, the “Junior Slaughter Bridge”; and, be it
    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “Junior Slaughter 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 the family of Junior Slaughter.