SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 41

(By Senators Stollings, Ojeda, Beach and Plymale)

[Introduced March 15, 2017]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 03-9-3.08 (03A052), (37.94999, -81.85885), locally known as Hewitt Bridge 3642, carrying County Route 9 over the Hewitt Creek in Boone County, the “U. S. Army PV2 Mandvial S. ‘Bunker’ Bias Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Private Bias was born July 25, 1893, in Hewett, Boone County. He was the son of Mann Bias and Parthena Bias and a descendant of Obediah Bias, one of the first settlers of Hewett; and

Whereas, Private Bias married Leora Baldwin and they had ten children:  Audley, Ruby, Ruth, Eugene, Darlene, Joey, Christena, James Otis, Yvonna Lee and Sherry; and

Whereas, Private Bias loved West Virginia and lived all his life in Boone County where he raised his family while working in the coal mines, timbering and always raising a large garden; and

Whereas, Private Bias was a kind and generous man with family and many friends gathering at their home on Sundays, with sometimes as many as fifty people gathering. After dinner, they would gather outside under shade trees to visit and discuss cars, hunting and politics; and

Whereas, Private Bias served his country during World War I; and

Whereas, Private Bias passed away on October 13, 1973; and

Whereas, Private Bias served his country and his state with honor and distinction; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 03-9-3.08 (03A052), (37.94999, -81.85885), locally known as Hewitt Bridge 3642, carrying County Route 9 over the Hewitt Creek in Boone County, the “U. S. Army PV2 Mandvial S. ‘Bunker’ Bias Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army PV2 Mandvial S. ‘Bunker’ Bias Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

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