HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 51

(By Delegates Phillips, Eldridge, R. Miller, Rodigheiro and Maynard)

[Introduced March 2, 2017 ]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 23-44-16.99 (23A154) (37.84488, -82.00992), locally known as Cherry Tree Bridge, carrying WV 44 over Island Creek in Logan County, the “U.S. Army LTC George William “Toby” Runyon Memorial Bridge”

Whereas, George William “Toby” Runyon was born in Monaville, Logan County, West Virginia, on December 17^th, 1941; and

Whereas, He was the oldest son of George F. and Elizabeth Runyon; and

Whereas, His siblings were James S. Runyon, Ivan L. Runyon and Donald R. Runyon; and

Whereas, George William “Toby” Runyon attended local elementary schools and graduated from Logan High School in 1960 where he was an honor student, and lettered in football and baseball; and

Whereas, After high school graduation, George William “Toby” Runyon attended Marshall University and the University of Maryland where he earned a Master’s Degree in International Studies; and

Whereas, George William “Toby” Runyon served honorably in the United States Army for twenty-five years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serving two combat tours in Vietnam and two tours in Heidelberg Germany; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel George William “Toby” Runyon was awarded a Bronze Star for his meritorious service, and completed his last assignment on the staff at the National War College at Fort McNair; Washington, D.C., and

Whereas, Following his retirement in 1988, George William “Toby” Runyon worked for Titan and L3 Corporation at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland, using his special knowledge in robotics for the battlefield, where he developed and tested robots to locate Improvised Explosive Devices and other dangers for soldiers, thereby helping to save the lives of untold numbers of soldiers; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Runyon is survived by his wife, Martha J. “Jan” Runyon; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Runyon was an active member of North Lake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake, Florida; therefore, in recognition of his service to his country, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 23-44-16.99 (23A154) (37.84488, -82.00992), locally known as Cherry Tree Bridge, carrying WV 44 over Island Creek in Logan County, the “U.S. Army LTC George William “Toby” Runyon Memorial Bridge”; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U.S. Army LTC George William “Toby” Memorial Bridge”; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.