SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 49

(By Senators Gaunch, Stollings and Boso)

[Introduced March 29, 2017]

Requesting the Division of Highways to erect a sign along each side of US Route 60, at the St. Albans bridge near Amandaville in Kanawha County, proclaiming “Home of Ralph Maddox - 1980 NHPA Hall of Fame Inductee”.

Whereas, Ralph Eugen Maddox was born October 23, 1922; and

Whereas, Ralph Maddox won his first Horseshoe Pitching Virginia State Championship in

1934 at the age of twelve years. He is the youngest player to win a state championship ever; and

Whereas, Ralph Maddox was hired at Union Carbide because of his superior fast-pitching

softball arm. He, however, pursued his horseshoe career; and

Whereas, Ralph Maddox went on to win 36 state championships and was a member of

the Horseshoe Pitchers Association for 69 years. Ralph qualified for the Men's World Tournament Championship Class 21 times, winning 411 games and a career average of 77.57 % ringers. His high finish was in 1961, he placed 3^rd on a 30-5 record and an 80.9 % ringers average. Ralph was one of the 13 famed 80% pitchers in the 1964 World Tournament, placed 9^th on 25-10 record while pitching 83.5% ringers; and

Whereas, Sadly, Ralph Maddox passed away on November 13, 2007 following a lengthy

illness; and

Whereas, Ralph Maddox having won numerous state and world tournament championships, was inducted into the Horseshoe Hall of Fame in April 1980 and was known as

"Mr. Horseshoe"; and

Whereas, lt is most fitting that the West Virginia Legislature pay tribute to the accomplishments of Ralph Maddox; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect a sign along each side of US Route 60 at the St. Albans bridge near Amandaville, in Kanawha County proclaiming, "Home of Ralph Maddox - 1980 NHSPA Hall of Fame Inductee"; 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.