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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 54 History

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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 54

(By Delegates Frazier and Shott)




Requesting that a portion of U.S. 19 from its intersection with U.S. 460 North to the city limits of Princeton from mile marker 10.70 to mile marker 12.36 in Mercer County, West Virginia be named the "William H. Sanders II Memorial Highway."

Whereas, William H. Sanders II was born in Princeton, West Virginia, in 1917 to Hartley Poe Sanders and Ina Hylton Sanders and passed away at age 92 in June of 2009; and
Whereas, William Sanders II graduated from Princeton High School, received his undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon College for Men, and his law degree from the University of Virginia; and
Whereas, In 1942, during World War II, William graduated from law school and joined the Marines; and
Whereas, As a marine, William participated in the second bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history at the atoll of Tarawa located in the Gilbert Islands in the South Pacific, where he was instrumental in knocking out a heavily fortified machine gun nest, while suffering from a shot to the neck by a Japanese sniper. While receiving medical treatment in Hawaii, William was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross, the highest medal given by the United States Navy and second only to the Medal of Honor. Admiral Chester Nimitz, Supreme Commander of the United States Navy in the Pacific, personally pinned both medals on William; and
Whereas, After his recuperation, William rejoined the Marines in time for the invasion of Saipan, which was the headquarters of the Japanese Pacific operation, and the invasion of the island of Tinian. William was awarded the Bronze star for his efforts at Saipan. William was honorably discharged with the rank of Major in 1946; and
Whereas, After the war, William returned to the University of Virginia Law School where, at his request, the University started an international law program, and, William was the first to graduate with a Masters of International Law; and
Whereas, While at the University, William met and married the love of his life, Katherine Little Sanders, who was a masters degree student in English; and
Whereas, As part of his masters program, William and Katherine relocated to Germany, where William served as an Assistant Staff Secretary to the Staff of U.S. Military Governor General Lucius Clay, and, where their first child was born, David Hartley Sanders; and
Whereas, Although William intended to work for the state Department in Washington, DC, William returned to Princeton to assist his ailing father in his law practice; and
Whereas, Throughout his years of law practice William was the champion of the underdog and fought many social causes, including but not limited to, integration and improving the relationship between whites and blacks in the area. For many years, William served as the president of the Human Rights Council, which was an organization of whites and blacks throughout Mercer County that worked to promote positive relations between the races; and
Whereas, In the 1960's, William sued the City of Princeton because the city had a "whites only" policy at the city park and city swimming pool; and
Whereas, As a result of this lawsuit, the city park was again opened to all of the public, regardless of race. For many years after this lawsuit, William and his family endured attacks and harassment from those against an integrated society. Nonetheless, William stuck to his principals; and
Whereas, In 1968, William built a beautiful law office on land he owned near his home outside of Princeton, near Green Valley. Williams also built a Holiday Inn with his brother-in-law at the crossroads of U.S. 460 and Interstate 77. It was the first national chain hotel in Mercer County; and
Whereas, In recent years, William slowed down his practice of law and focused on the researching and writing of local histories. William wrote thirteen local history books, including two about his own life; and
Whereas, In 1997, he wrote "On The Skirmish Line", his autobiography, that details his early experiences in Princeton, and many of his skirmishes that he engaged in, including in the Pacific, in the courts, and over racial issues; and
Whereas, William's profound love for Mercer County, its founders and their descendants was his passion for many years. He dedicated a large part of his life to collecting and documenting the local history; thereby, preserving for it for us and for future generations; and
Whereas, William is survived by his wife, Katherine and their four children, David Hartley Sanders, a Judge in the eastern panhandle; Mary Hylton Sanders and William H. Sanders, III, both lawyers; and Katherine Todd Koerner, as well as eight grandchildren and one great grandchild; and
Whereas, William H. Sanders II was a loving and devoted father that served his community with unfettered generosity and distinction, and his country with undaunted courage; and
Whereas, The life of William H. Sanders II shall be recognized and honored; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of U.S. 19 from its intersection with U.S. 460 North to the city limits of Princeton from mile marker 10.70 to mile marker 12.36 in Mercer County, West Virginia, the "William H. Sanders II Memorial Highway"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming this section of the road the "William H. Sanders II Memorial Highway"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the family of William H. Sanders II.
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