HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 63

(By Delegate Barrett)

[Introduced March 22, 2021]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number: 02-009/56-000.25 () (02A166), (39.46467,-77.96611) locally known as Raleigh Street over Winchester and Western RR South, carrying CR 9/56 over Winchester & Western RR in Berkeley County, the “Mayor George Karos Bridge”.

Whereas, George Karos, Mayor of Martinsburg, West Virginia was born September 10, 1931, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He attended local schools, graduating from Martinsburg High School. After high school, he attended Shepherd College and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia, School of Pharmacy in Richmond, Virginia. Before receiving his degree, he served in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman and attained the rank of PO3; and

Whereas, Mayor George Karos was the previous owner and operator of Patterson’s Drug Store, Inc. and is now retired, since June, 2015. He has received numerous awards for his devotion to civic and church activities, including the Sam Walton Wal-Mart Business Leadership Award for Service to the Customer; the West Virginia A.H. Robin’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Community and to Pharmacies in West Virginia and the West Virginia School of Pharmacy Honorary Alumnus Award; and

Whereas, George Karos has served the City of Martinsburg for more than four decades, including five terms as Mayor; and

Whereas, During his tenure, Mayor Karos was part of numerous multiple public capital-improvement and economic development projects, including the construction of the current city hall building, in the mid-1980s, the development of the Foxcroft Avenue commercial district, annexation of more than 700 acres west of Interstate 81, construction of the Caperton Train Station and the redesign of the town square, gateway signage and police department-municipal court building projects, as well as the extension of North Raleigh Street, from West Race Street to Edwin Miller Boulevard; and

Whereas, Mayor George Karos is also the recipient of “Who’s Who in West Virginia Business”, presented by the West Virginia State Journal, and has received the honor of “Distinguished Citizenship Award — Lodge #778” by the Grand Lodge Elks USA. Mr. Karos was awarded the “Paul Harris Fellow Award for Humanity” from the Martinsburg International Rotary Club as well as the Chamber of Commerce “C. Leslie Golliday Award for Small Businessman of the Year”; and

Whereas, In August 2007, Mayor George Karos received the “2007 Mayor of the Year” award, presented by the West Virginia Municipal League. He was awarded “Man of the Year 2008-2009” by the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce sponsored by the Journal and in May 2009 Main Street Martinsburg bestowed the honor of “Public Official of the Year” on Mayor Karos. George Karos has also been listed in the “Top 25 Most Influential People in the Eastern Panhandle” as chosen by the Journal; and

Whereas, Professional affiliations of Mayor George Karos include president of the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy; member of the Chamber of Commerce; Berkeley County Development Authority; Berkeley County Health Department, the Eastern Panhandle Builder’s Association, the Rotary and Elks Club, Martinsburg/Berkeley County Library, the West Virginia and Virginia Pharmaceutical Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association and Eastern Panhandle Academy of Pharmacy; director of City National Bank; past president of Martinsburg/Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce; past Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Church; past member, officer and director of Berkeley County War Memorial Park and past member of Martinsburg Planning and Zoning Commission. He is also a member of the Equality Lodge #144 AF&M; Martinsburg Scottish Rite 32; Osiris Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., Wheeling, WV and Royal Order of Jesters #117, Cumberland, MD; and

Whereas, Mayor George Karos is also a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse and President and Director of Kings Daughter Housing, Inc. and Associates for Community Development, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Eastern WV Community Foundation; and

Whereas, Mayor George Karos is married to M. Renee Burkhart and has two children by his late wife, Sophia M. Karos: his daughter, Maria K. Karos, and his son, George K. Karos; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring tribute be established to commemorate Mayor George Karos and his contributions to the City of Martinsburg, our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number: 02-009/56-000.25  () (02A166), (39.46467,-77.96611) locally known as Raleigh Street over Winchester and Western RR South, carrying CR 9/56 over Winchester & Western RR in Berkeley County, the “Mayor George Karos 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 “Mayor George Karos Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Division of Highways.