SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 44

(By Senators Cline, Beach, Jeffries, Facemire, and Lindsay)

[Introduced February 23, 2019]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 55-5-504.04, (55A010), locally known as Milam Arch, carrying Route 5 over Laurel Fork in Wyoming County, the “Elizabeth Williams, Teacher and Community Advocate Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams was born January 25, 1911, in Williams, Illinois, to Reuben and Anna Williams; and

Whereas, Reuben Williams was a mining engineer and relocated the family to Glen Rodgers, West Virginia in 1927; and

Whereas, Reuben Williams focused on his children’s ability to continue their education through high school and inspired Elizabeth to advocate for education to all persons; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams was one of the first students to graduate from Glen Rodgers High School in 1929; and

Whereas, Elizabeth pursued higher education, enrolling at Concord College, to become a teacher;

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams became a teacher at Glen Rodgers High School in 1932 after graduating from Concord College to teach chemistry, physics, biology, and other general science classes, in addition to teaching two additional classes in public speaking; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams was active in her community and in politics, she volunteered during the summers in Senator Robert C. Byrd’s Beckley field office as an unpaid staff member; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams was President of the Ravencliff-McGraws-Saulsville Public Service District and donated endless hours to help bring suitable water to those towns and areas near Twin Falls State Park; and

Whereas, In 1970, Elizabeth Williams became the secretary to the board of the House of Wonder workshop at Maben, West Virginia, assisting handicapped people learn skills and make furniture, picture frames, and other wood-working products; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams was instrumental in establishing the Upper Laurel Volunteer Fire Department; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams was an active member of the Eastern Star with years of service including a stint as a state officer; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams retired from teaching in 1976 after teaching for 44 years and continued to be a substitute teacher until Glen Rodgers High School closed in 1992; and

Whereas, Elizabeth Williams presented the diplomas to the final graduating class in 1992 prior to the school closing; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Elizabeth Williams and her contributions to our state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways name bridge number 55-5-504.04, (55A010), locally known as Milam Arch, carrying Route 5 over Laurel Fork in Wyoming County, the “Elizabeth Williams, Teacher and Community Advocate 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 “Elizabeth Williams, Teacher and Community Advocate 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.