SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15

(By Senators Blair (Mr. President), Chapman, and Karnes)

[Introduced January 12, 2024]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 02-51/00-004.58(02A180), locally known as Inwood Route 51 Overpass, carrying WV 51 overpass carrying J-81 in Berkeley County, the "Chief Edward (Eddie) Keesecker Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Edward "Eddie" Keesecker was born on September 17, 1954, to Clifford and Delsie Keesecker in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He grew up in Tabler Station with his two older brothers Roger and Larry; and

Whereas, He graduated from Musselman High School in 1974 and married his high school sweetheart, Debbie, in September of 1974. He was a member of the Darkesville United Methodist Church; and

Whereas, Eddie, along with countless others, worked to establish the Berkeley County Fire Board to secure funding for all five volunteer fire departments and was one of the original Fire Board Members. Additional funding was necessary as increased training requirements were being implemented and higher call volume made it increasingly difficult to have fundraisers; and

Whereas, Eddie was the first Junior Member of the South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Company—joining the department at 16 and serving for 26 years.  Unbeknownst to many, Eddie's mother's death while being transported to the hospital in an ambulance was the motivation for his dedication to Fire and EMS. Mr. Bob Gochenour told Eddie that if he took training, and worked hard he would someday be the Fire Chief.  Those words were not lost on Eddie; and

Whereas, Eddie worked at AT&T as a maintenance mechanic and oversaw the plant's Fire Brigade; and

Whereas, Eddie considered his position as Fire Chief the most important job he had.  He was always available to help anyone and everyone.  Many times, he responded in the South Berkeley Community in a non-firefighting capacity. One Sunday morning, he even helped a widow retrieve her cow that was stuck in a pond.  As many firefighters' wives and husbands will tell, many meals and plans were interrupted over Eddie's 26 years with the fire company.  Eddie's wife, Debbie, joined the fire company as well allowing the two of them to spend more time together away from home; and

Whereas, Whereas the Fire Company kept him very busy, however during hunting season he managed to enjoy a few days of deer hunting and relaxation. He was working on his fixed wing airplane pilot's license when he died; and

Whereas, The Maryland Fire Dispatch, February 17, 1997, stated: Chief Keesecker is probably best known as a forward looking chief always learning from others' mistakes as well as his own. This was best exemplified in 1993, when Eddie impressed on officials how important it was to divide 10 acres of discarded tires into 12 separate piles to allow accessibility by apparatus and firefighters in the event of a fire.  When a fire did strike on September 14, 1993, it took firefighters only 36 hours to extinguish the blaze as compared to the months it took 10 years earlier in a similar blaze in Front Royal, Virginia.; and

Whereas, Eddie believed that you could never have enough training.  He trained regularly, including attending Fire Science courses at Shepherd College, and encouraged others to train as well; and

Whereas, During the 1996 South Berkeley Christmas Parade Eddie was selected as the Honorary Mayor of Inwood, West Virginia for the day; and

Whereas, When cancer ravaged Eddie's body, he continued to go to the fire station, attend meetings and when able would go to the fire scene while the men he served with kept a watchful eye over him; and

Whereas, It is said that leadership is determined by the amount of people you inspire, encourage, motivate, improve, help, and serve. These qualities, and more, are what made Chief Eddie Keesecker a leader whose impact on the fire service in Berkeley County is still felt today; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Chief Edward "Eddie" Keesecker and his/her contributions to 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 02-051/00-004.58 (02A180), locally known as Inwood Route 51 Overpass carrying WV 051 over I-81 in Berkeley County, the "Chief Edward "Eddie" Keesecker Memorial 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 "Chief Edward ‘Eddie’ Keesecker Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

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