SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 6

(By Senators Deeds, Jeffries, Willis, and Woodrum)

[Introduced February 14, 2025]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 10-077/00-062.66 (10A205), (37.98938, -81.33126), locally known as Skitter Creek Bridge, carrying  Interstate 77 over Skitter Creek/Coal Haul Road in Fayette County, the "U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Jerome Lee "Jerry" Workman was born September 8, 1924, at Pentacre, West Virginia, the son of the late Ernest Walter Workman and Ethel Heleana Lipscomb Workman; and

Whereas Jerome Lee "Jerry" Workman attended Oakland Elementary Grade School and graduated from Gauley Bridge High School; later, he attended Princeton University (where he met Albert Einstein) and graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in mining engineering; and

Whereas, Jerry served in the 104th Infantry Division Timberwolves and Patton's 3rd Army in World War II; he was a recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. After World War II, Jerry returned to the service as an officer in Germany. He was a member of VFW Post 7695, and a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and

Whereas, While a Private First Class, U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman went above the call of duty. In the Netherlands tour, he opened a path of movement for his company and he single-handedly killed a whole Nazi machine gun nest, while under intense machine gun and small arms fire himself. He was wounded and gave first aid to two wounded comrades, and then killed two riflemen. For this he earned the Silver Star, "for gallantry in action", the third highest combat medal; he also earned a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts; and

Whereas, U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman was a skilled engineer, doing work for the Army Corps of Engineers building bridges and he commanded a company of 100 men to construct for the war; and

Whereas, U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman married Tresa Bria of Smithers in 1948. The couple had five children; after her death in 1977, he married Wilma Arbogast, who passed away in 1999; and

Whereas, U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman also did excellent work after the Army, serving as Vice President of Cedar Co., an electricity distribution company in West Virginia; he also worked as an International mining consultant; he was an engineer and maintenance superintendent for Union Carbide, Alloy Division; an international mining manager for Union Carbide Corporation; and a mining consultant; and

Whereas, U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee "Jerry" Workman, 85, of Dixie, died August 18, 2010, at Montgomery General Hospital. He is survived by his children, Jerome L. Workman, Jr. of Charleston, Michael E. Workman of Charleston, Ernest A. Workman of Boomer, Mary Workman Corey of Beckley, and Beverly Workman McGarry of Dixie; his beloved friend of 10 years, Marie Hughes of Belva; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 10-077/00-062.66 (10A205), (37.98938, -81.33126), locally known as, Skitter Creek Bridge, carrying Interstate 77 over Skitter Creek/Coal Haul Road in Fayette County, the "U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman Memorial 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 "U. S. Army Major Jerome Lee Workman Memorial 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.