HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 122

(By Delegates Shott, Ellington, Paynter, and Evans)

[Introduced February 27, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name a two-mile portion of U.S. Route 460 between its intersection with Bland Rd., otherwise known as WV Route 598, and its intersection with U.S. Route 52 in Mercer County, the “Eustace Frederick Memorial Road”.

Whereas, Eustace Frederick was born the son of Russian immigrant parents on August 29, 1930, in “a four-room shack” in Delta Hollow near Switchback, McDowell County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, A graduate of Elkhorn High School in 1948 where his excellence in football earned him a scholarship from Virginia Polytechnical Institute (now “Virginia Tech”) where he played for four years, graduating with a degree in mining engineering in 1952; and

Whereas, Eustace Frederick served his country as a communications officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War; and

Whereas, Eustace Frederick accepted a job with Consolidation Coal Company and rapidly rose through its ranks, retiring in 1992 as Senior Vice President of its Southern Appalachian Region after over forty years of service; and

Whereas, During his employment with Consolidation Coal Company, Eustace Frederick was an innovator and a champion of safety advances in coal mining, including the development of a coalbed methane venting process that reduced the danger of explosions in deep coal mines; and

Whereas, His leadership in the coal industry resulted in Eustace Frederick being awarded the Ralph E. Bailey Safety Trophy twice by Consolidation Coal Company, and being recognized by the West Virginia Coal Association with an induction into their Coal Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Following his retirement, Governor Gaston Caperton appointed him to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1993 to fill an unexpired term, and he was successfully reelected to that post in seven consecutive elections before he chose not to run following the conclusion of the regular 2008 Legislative Session due to health concerns; and

Whereas, His passion for the safety and livelihood of West Virginia’s coal miners continued throughout his political career; and

Whereas, In addition to his elective service, Eustace Frederick was active in many community organizations, including the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, which awarded him its highest honor, the Robert Francis Hamilton Award for superior community service; and

Whereas, Eustace Frederick was a lifelong member and devout supporter of Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church in Bluefield, and for his outstanding service was selected to be an Archon in the Order Of Saint Andrew; and

Whereas, Eustace Frederick, died at his residence on Thursday, November 6, 2008, at the age of 78; and

Whereas, Eustace Frederick was survived by one son, Eustace (“Stacy”) Frederick III of Bluefield, WV; one daughter, Carrie Frederick Frost and her husband Matthew of Charlottesville, VA; five grandchildren of whom he was particularly proud and his dear friend and companion, Shirley Ofsa of Bluefield, VA; and

Whereas, Naming a segment of this highway leading to the church that he was instrumental in building is an appropriate recognition of his many contributions to his country, state, and community; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a two-mile portion of U.S. Route 460 between its intersection with Bland Rd., otherwise known as WV Route 598, and its intersection with U.S. Route 52 in Mercer County, the “Eustace Frederick Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying the road as the “Delegate Eustace Frederick Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.