HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 70

(By Delegates Ferns, Storch, D. Evans, Ferro

         and Diserio)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 35-40-7.52 on Route 40 in Wheeling, Ohio County, the “US Army Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter was born on August 8, 1974, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Fred Hunter and stepmother, Debbie, of Glen Dale, West Virginia, and Kathy and stepfather, Joe Kinney, of Valley Grove, West Virginia, and a brother to Amanda Hunter Gebhardt and Brian Hunter; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 1992 where he was a member of the Chess Club, REAP Counselors, Scuba Club, and the Wheeling Park High School Marching and Jazz Bands. Matthew was also a very active nine year member of the Ohio County 4-H Program and a member of the West Alexander Presbyterian Church where he sang in the adult choir; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter earned a nursing degree from West Liberty State College; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter joined the Army Reserves in January 1992 and became part of the regular Army in January 1996. Prior to serving in Iraq, he served two tours of duty in Korea; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter was committed to serving his country and caring for its wounded, with a can-do attitude; and

    Whereas, In the fall of 2005, Sgt. Matthew Hunter was deployed to Iraq as a medic, assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 502^nd Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles” from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In Iraq, Sgt. Hunter not only cared for and treated the wounded soldiers, he also treated injured animals he found in the war zone; and

    Whereas, On January 23, 2006, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations in Baghdad; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter distinguished himself on numerous occasions and prior to his death was awarded the Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal 2^nd Award, National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, and Marksmanship Badge. In addition, Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal 3rd Award and Combat Field Medic Badge; and

    Whereas, It is fitting and proper, that US Army Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter be remembered and acknowledged for his courageous action and dedicated service to his country; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 35-40-7.52 on Route 40 in Wheeling, Ohio County, the “US Army Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the “US Army Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to the surviving family of Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter.