By Delegates Pino, Seacrist, Amores, Petersen, Henderson, Farris, Harrison, Calvert, Sprouse, Greear, Miller, Nesbitt, Walters, Hunt and Louisos:
H. C. R. 3--"Naming of the new Chelyan Bridge in honor of Vice Admiral T. J. 'Joe' Lopez."
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez was born in Powellton, West Virginia, January 20, 1940; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez entered the U.S. Navy in September 1959, and was commissioned in December, 1964; and
Whereas, in 1969, Vice Admiral Lopez was assigned as Commanding Officer of River Division ONE FIVE THREE in Vietnam, where he commanded a joint U.S. and Vietnamese naval assault into Cambodia in May of 1970; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez completed his education at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1973 and then was ordered to a two- year tour as Flag Secretary for Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group EIGHT in 1974. In 1977, Admiral Lopez was reassigned as Executive Officer of U.S.S. TRUETT, and in 1982 Admiral Lopez assumed command of U.S.S. STUMP, completing a Persian Gulf deployment in 1983; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez served as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations andserved as Deputy Director for Current Operations in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense; and
Whereas, In July, 1992, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and commanded the United States Sixth Fleet and NATO's Striking and Support forces in Southern Europe from July, 1992, to December, 1993; and
Whereas, Vice Admiral Lopez wears the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendations Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation and numerous other unit and campaign awards; and
Whereas, In recognition of his many accomplishments and contributions, it is fitting and proper that the Legislature take public note of the years of service to the Nation by one of its native sons; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the newly constructed bridge in Chelyan be, and it is hereby, named the "Vice Admiral T. J. Lopez Bridge"; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to the Governor.