HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 13

(By Delegate Fast)

[Introduced January 13, 2022; referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Rules.]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a bridge bearing the number 10-060/00-000.32  (10A140), (38.18106,   -81.30672) locally known as “Smithers Creek Bridge,” carrying US Route 60  over Smithers Ck. & CR 21/15 in Fayette County as the “The Doctor Enrique Aguilar Memorial Bridge.”

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was a long time physician in Montgomery, West Virginia, who delivered over 3,000 babies in the Montgomery area; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was born in Mexico City on October 20, 1919, and he finished his medical training at the University of Mexico Medical School in September 1945, and began working as a doctor for a mining company in remote Baja California, Mexico; and

Whereas, In 1946, Dr. Aguilar married the former Sallie Hunter, who was managing the local office of American Airlines in their hometown of Monterey, Mexico, and they had five children: Enrique, Jr., Sarita, Francisco, Fernando, and Ricardo; and

Whereas, In Montgomery, Dr. Enrique Aguilar became an accomplished general surgeon, emergency room doctor, and family physician who performed a vast variety of medical procedures including orthopedics, OBGYN, FAA pilot physicals, and school physicals; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar opened his own medical practice in Montgomery in 1962, and also operated the Hillside Clinic in Charlton Heights in partnership with Dr. Lewis Elias until 1974; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was a member of the staff at Montgomery General Hospital and member of Board of Trustees; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar also served as the medical doctor for Montgomery's police department as well as the plant doctor for the Elkem Metals plant (formerly Union Carbide) in Alloy; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar is believed to be the last doctor in the Kanawha Valley to perform house calls to patient's homes; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was also an accomplished pilot who learned how to fly at Frank Thomas's airport in Fayetteville, West Virginia, and as a pilot, he made nine trips with members of his family to his native Mexico where he flew his personal aircraft, and he was a member of the Flying Physicians Association; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was instrumental in the transactions that relocated the state’s primary correctional facility from Moundsville to the Bull Push area in Cannelton Hollow where the Mount Olive State Correctional Facility is now located; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was a member of the board at Montgomery National Bank (now United Bank), 1978-1989 and the Upper Kanawha Valley Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors; and he was a Paul Harris Fellow at the Montgomery Rotary Club; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar was awarded membership to “The 500 Century Club” at the Devereux Foundation for handicapped children; and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar received a State of West Virginia “Legislative Citation,” for which citation former Circuit Judge Charles L. Garvin stated:

“Dr. Aguilar was believed to hold the first “Pilot of the Year” award and was presented this award for his dedication and help to many pilots. Dr. Aguilar's efforts on behalf of his profession have far surpassed those required. To Judge Garvin's knowledge, there is no one in this state who has given so much of his time and talent to his fellow man as Dr. Aguilar. His compassion and love for his fellow man are unmatched, but he does not seek attention. You know that you have met a man of dedication, dignity, and character, and all of this you'll know before you know his name;” and

Whereas, Dr. Enrique Aguilar received the “Distinguished West Virginian Award” from Governor Gaston Caperton in 1994; and

Whereas, For these reasons it is fitting and proper that the bridge be named in honor of Doctor Enrique Aguilar; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a bridge bearing the number 10-060/00-000.32  (10A140), (38.18106,   -81.30672) locally known as “Smithers Creek Bridge,” carrying US Route 60  over Smithers Ck. & CR 21/15 in Fayette County as the “The Doctor Enrique Aguilar Memorial Bridge;” and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge as the “The Doctor Enrique Aguilar Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

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