SENATE cONCURRENT RESOLUTION 3

(By Senators Palumbo, Lindsay, Stollings, and Jeffries)

[Introduced January 10, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 20-9-6.19 (20A017), locally known as Tornado Bridge, carrying County Route 9 over the Coal River in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Army MSG Richard A. ‘Dick’ Smoot Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Richard A. Smoot was born June 28, 1948, in Crownhill, West Virginia, the son of Trilba Gay Smoot and Richard Smoot; and

Whereas, Following high school, Richard A. Smoot joined the United States Army, where he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and enjoyed a long and successful career; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Smoot, who was sometimes called by the nickname “Bones”, completed numerous training courses as a member of the special forces, earning many medals and badges. He completed air borne school, signal school, the free fall parachutist course, and combat lifesaving training. He was a qualified combat diver and earned the right to the Combat Infantryman Badge, Portuguese Diver Badge, the Russian Parachute Badge, the Master Parachute Badge, Special Forces Tab, and Special Operations Diving Supervisor Badge; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Smoot, who served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, became a legend among the special forces community. He was awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, an Army Good Conduct Medal, and other medals and ribbons; and

Whereas, Although the service often took him far from his Tornado home, Master Sergeant Smoot was a devoted husband, father, and friend and was described as a rock to his immediate and extended family. Following honorable discharge from military service, Master Sergeant Smoot participated actively in his community and served as commander for American Legion Post 73; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Richard A. Smoot died July 2, 2015, as a result of having been struck by a truck as he rode his motorcycle; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate his many contributions to our nation, state, and community; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 20-9-6.19 (20A017), locally known as Tornado Bridge, carrying County Route 9 over the Coal River in Kanawha County, the “U. S. Army  MSG Richard A. ‘Dick’ Smoot 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 MSG Richard A. ‘Dick’ Smoot 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.