HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 69
(By Delegate Morgan)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge crossing the
Ohio River between Huntington, West Virginia and Proctorville,
Ohio, also known as the East Huntington Bridge, "The Frank
"Gunner" Gatski Memorial Bridge."
Whereas, Born in Farmington, West Virginia on March 13, 1922,
Frank grew up in Number Nine Mine coal camp and then attended
Farmington High School. He went to work in the coal mines
immediately after graduating high school; and
Whereas, Upon entering Marshall University, he impressed coach
Cam Henderson enough to win a starting position on the football
team. At the same time Marshall University was forced to
discontinue their football program for the duration of WWII, his
Army Reserve Unit was activated; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski served two years in the Army Infantry in
Europe. Upon returning, he finished his college career at Auburn
University. He successfully tried out for the Cleveland Browns and
was added to their roster at the beginning of the 1946 season; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946
through 1956 and for the Detroit Lions for the 1957 season playing in eleven Championship games in those twelve seasons; and
Whereas, Throughout twenty years of playing football in high
school, in college and professionally, he never missed a game or
practice; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski worked as a scout for the Boston Patriots
for four years before taking the job as that teams head coach and
athletic director. He then began twenty-one years of coaching at
the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys in Farmington; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was inducted into the Marshall University
Athletic Hall of Fame on September 25, 1985; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was inducted into the Professional
Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 1985; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
to name the bridge crossing the Ohio River between Huntington, West
Virginia and Proctorville, Ohio, also known as the East Huntington
Bridge, "The Frank "Gunner" Gatski Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested
to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "The
Frank "Gunner" Gatski Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the
Department of Transportation.