SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 34

(By Senators Beach, Unger, Kessler (Mr. President), Jenkins, Stollings, Plymale, Williams and Palumbo)

Recognizing West Virginia truck drivers for excellence, professionalism and safety in truck driving.

    Whereas, Truck driving championships are considered one of the industry’s largest and most effective safety programs; and

    Whereas, Each driver has a chance to demonstrate his or her driving and inspection skills, knowledge and professionalism through a series of tests including a written examination, pretrip inspection test and finally, the most visible, the skills test; and

    Whereas, Ten truck drivers represented the State of West Virginia at the National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

    Whereas, John Hodges, a professional truck driver from Hurricane, West Virginia, was awarded the 2012 Grand Champion Award. Hodges, a UPS Freight driver, also took first place in 3-Axle Semi-trailer; James Priddy, a professional truck driver for FedEx Freight, from Charleston, West Virginia, took first place in 4-Axle Tractor Semi-trailer; Tim Hodges, a professional truck driver for UPS Freight, from Hurricane, West Virginia, took first place in 5-Axle Van; Clarence Jenkins, Jr., a professional truck driver for UPS Freight, from Poca, West Virginia, took first place in 5-Axle Tank; John Gibson, a professional truck driver for ABF Freight Systems, from Scott Depot, West Virginia, took first place in 5-Axle Tank; Kenneth Grimmett, a professional truck driver for Con-Way Freight, from Fayetteville, West Virginia, took first place in 5-Axle Flatbed; Richard Spaur, a professional truck driver for Con-Way Freight, from Parkersburg, West Virginia, took first place in Twins; Steve Looney, a professional truck driver for Petroleum Transport Inc., from St. Albans, West Virginia, took first place in Sleeper; Tim Bailey, Jr., a professional truck driver for UPS, from Salem, West Virginia, took first place in Step Van; and Eric Johnson, a professional truck driver for FedEx Freight, from Sisterville, West Virginia, was named Rookie of the Year; and

    Whereas, The National Truck Driving Championships represent the best of the best in truck driving, and these ten West Virginia truck drivers proved to the rest of the country that they are the best, something all West Virginians can be proud of; and

    Whereas, These ten professional truck drivers have driven a combined eighteen million accident-free miles and have over 216 years behind the wheel; and

    Whereas, There are more than 3.1 million professional truck drivers nationwide and over 34,480 truck drivers in the State of West Virginia; and

    Whereas, The trucking industry plays a critical role in West Virginia’s economy by transporting over sixty-seven percent of its manufactured freight tonnage throughout the state and the nation; and

    Whereas, Citizens in over eighty-four percent of West Virginia communities depend exclusively on the dedicated service of professional truck drivers to keep the shelves of our local supermarkets fully stocked, to deliver medicine and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics and to deliver goods at every stage of production; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby recognizes West Virginia truck drivers for excellence, professionalism and safety in truck driving; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate commends the excellence in truck driving demonstrated by the ten truck drivers who won first place in their class at the National Truck Driving Championships; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Truck Driving Champions.