SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 56

(By Senators Stollings, Beach, and Plymale)

[Introduced March 8, 2018]

Requesting the Division of Highways rename bridge number 23-10-9.00, currently known as the PFC Franklin L. Conn Memorial Bridge, carrying State Route 10 near the town of Man in Logan County, the “PFC Franklin L. Conn and SGM Bill Jeffrey Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Bill Edward Jeffrey was born to Elmer and Rosalyn Jeffrey on May 5, 1945, in Logan, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Bill Edward Jeffrey was inducted into the United States Army on November 6, 1959, and retired on the effective date of August 31, 1988, after rising to the rank of Sergeant Major; and

Whereas, Sergeant Major Jeffrey entered the United States Army Special Operations Command as the G4 Chief of Logistics serving their mission around the world for 13 years. He also served two tours of duty in Vietnam; and

Whereas, Sergeant Major Jeffrey was awarded the Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with letter “V” device, Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, 8th award, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral four, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), and Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar with Rifle Bar; and

Whereas, Sergeant Major Jeffrey also had many outside interests and was a world-famous softball pitcher, coach, and organizer. He had a sports stadium named after him in Amsterdam, Holland; and

Whereas, Sergeant Major Jeffrey passed away on April 4, 2015, and was survived by his wife, Robin Jeffrey, and a multitude of family and friends who will never forget him; and

Whereas, Sergeant Major Jeffrey was also a devoted friend of fellow serviceman, Private First Class Franklin L. Conn, who was killed in action while these friends were serving in the Army in Vietnam; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature has, in its 2010 Regular Session, already passed HCR 24 requesting the Division of Highways to name a bridge in Logan County in honor of PFC Conn; and

Whereas, The community of Man, West Virginia, and the families of these valiant men have all requested that these two friends be honored jointly; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Private First Class Franklin L. Conn and Sergeant Major Bill Jeffrey, their service to our state and country, and their strong friendship; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to rename bridge number 23-10-9.00, currently known as the PFC Franklin L. Conn Memorial Bridge, carrying State Route 10 near the town of Man in Logan County, the “PFC Franklin L. Conn and SGM Bill Jeffrey 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 “PFC Franklin L. Conn and SGM Bill Jeffrey 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.