HCR 1 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
(By Delegates R. Phillips and Tomblin)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on Route 73, crossing over Highway 5/05, in Logan, Logan County, West Virginia, the "Army Specialist-4 Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. Memorial Bridge".
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was born on December 7, 1947, inside a one room log cabin at War Eagle, West Virginia, son of Sylvia and Harmon Hopson Sr.; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was drafted into the United States Army on August 15, 1967; and
     Whereas, While in the United States Army, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. served in Vietnam, returning home on August 14, 1969; and
     Whereas, During his time in the United States Army, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was initially a private but grew in rank until becoming a Specialist-4; and
     Whereas, For his valiant, dedicated and courageous service during the tumultuous Vietnam War, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device and three Bronze Service Stars; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. attended the Radio Relay and Carrier Operator School at the USA Southeaster Signal School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, and served as a General Equipment Operator/Mechanic and Power Plant Operator throughout his years of service; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was honorably discharged on August 14, 1973, and forever after took great pride in being a veteran soldier and for having served his country; and
     Whereas, When Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. returned to civilian life, he worked in the coal mines for thirty seven years, retiring as a mine foreman in 2011; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was an amazing husband to his loving wife of thirty-four years, Carolyn Sue Lawrence Hopson of Amherstdale, West Virginia, and a wonderful father to his five children: Angela Doss of Cleveland, Ohio; Dawn Hopson of Yanceyville, North Carolina; Ashley Goodman of Amherstdale, West Virginia; Harmon Duncan of Cleveland, Ohio; and Brian Hopson of Yanceyville, North Carolina; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. loved his family deeply, especially cherishing his nine grandchildren: Robert Doss, Shandi Doss, Jahvalin Hopson, Jazzmine Dunn, Marskie Dunn II, Michael Harmon Hopson, Jerry Dale Ellis II, Caiden Goodman and Justin Hopson; and
     Whereas, Throughout his life, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. was a mentor to many and loved by all, never meeting a stranger and never hesitating to help someone in need; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. had a rich and diverse life enjoying singing, song-writing, playing the guitar and banjo, sculpting, working on small engines, dreaming up new inventions and spending time outdoors hunting, fishing and riding in the hills; and
     Whereas, Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. passed away on December 22, 2011, after a long, hard battle with cancer, having faced his illness with the same mentality that kept him strong in life, refusing to let his illness rob him of any of his remaining days; and
     Whereas, All who knew Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr., thought him a remarkable man with a magnetic spirit that attracted and lifted everyone in his presence; and
     Whereas, It is fitting and proper that this bridge be named in his honor and that it henceforth stand as a permanent memorial so that Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. will not be forgotten and his spirit carried forward; therefore, be it
     Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That the Division of Highways name the bridge on Route 73, crossing over Highway 5/05, in Logan, Logan County, West Virginia, the "Army Specialist-4 Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. Memorial 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 "Specialist-4 Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. Memorial Bridge" with a designation that Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr. served in the Vietnam War; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to Harmon "Hoppy" Lee Hopson Jr.'s loving wife, children and grandchildren and to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

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