HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 62

(By Delegate Linville)

[Introduced January 31, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Rules]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a bridge bearing the Bridge Number: 10-025/02-000.10  () (10A126), (37.95606, -81.07894) locally known as THURMOND BRIDGE, carrying CR 25/02 over NEW RIVER in Fayette County, as the " U.S. Army First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Memorial Bridge ".

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake was born on April 18th, 1936, in Oak Hill, West Virginia, the son of the late Clarence "Pete" Gordon Blake and Audrey Mae Snead Blake; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake graduated from Collins High School in 1955, and went on to earn an Associate Degree from the University of Maryland; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake honorably served his country as a United States Marine, as well as a soldier in the United States Army; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Shirley served two tours in Vietnam and retired from the service after 21 years, 2 months and 8 days; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake served his country in the Army from 1959 to 1981; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake was awarded several Honors: Good Conduct Medal; Bronze Star Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Gallanfiy Cross with Palm; Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Citation; Defense Service Medal; Dominican Republic Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Shirley also retired from the National Park Service with 33 years of service, thus totaling 53 years, 6 months, and 17 days of service to his country; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Shirley continued his dedication to public service by serving in the official capacity as Councilman for the Town of Thurmond; and

Whereas, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Shirley loved his wife of 21 years, Sharon, also a former National Park Service employee who retired from the United States Department of Interior in Washington D.C.; and

Whereas, Sadly, First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake passed away on Thursday, April 20th, 2023, at the age of 87; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways name a bridge bearing the Bridge Number: 10-025/02-000.10  () (10A126), (37.95606, -81.07894) locally known as THURMOND BRIDGE, carrying CR 25/02 over NEW RIVER in Fayette County, as the "U.S. Army First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Memorial Bridge" and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of road as the "U.S. Army First Sergeant Clarence Shirley Blake Memorial Bridge"; 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.