HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 53

(By Delegates  Boggs, Caputo, Sponaugle and Campbell)

[Introduced February 6, 2019]

Requesting the Division of Highways name northbound and southbound bridges numbered 04-79-54.18 (04A109, 04A110), locally known as the Co 21 Overpass Bridges, carrying Interstate 79 over County Route 21 in Braxton County, the “Ray P. Reip Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Ray P. Reip was born in Braxton County, West Virginia, in 1919 on his parents farm and, throughout his life, enjoyed living in the country; and

Whereas, As a high school student, each day Ray Reip walked several miles through the countryside and then crossed the Elk River by boat to get to and from his school; and

Whereas, Ray Reip served as an aviation radioman in the United States Navy during World War II; and

Whereas, After his discharge from the Navy, Ray Reip returned to his beloved farm in Braxton County to follow in his father’s footsteps as a farmer and where he married and raised two daughters; and

Whereas, The construction of Interstate 79 resulted in a significant impact to the farm so dearly loved by the family, transecting the property, taking the homestead, three barns, and three ponds, and isolating 30 acres from access from the rest of the property; and

Whereas, Ray Reip loved living in West Virginia and he thought it to be the next best place to Heaven; and

Whereas, Ray Reip was known as a hard-working man, a faithful provider, wonderful husband, loving father, loyal neighbor, and a reliable, helpful person; and

Whereas, Ray Reip is survived by his wife Betty, who also served in World War II and is one of the oldest living veterans of World War II in Braxton County, and by his daughters, Barbara Morgan and Donna Pierson; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Ray Reip and his unselfish contributions to his community, to our state, and to our country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name northbound and southbound bridges numbered 04-79-54.18 (04A109, 04A110), locally known as the Co 21 Overpass Bridges, carrying Interstate 79 over County Route 21 in Braxton County, the “Ray P. Reip 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 as the “Ray P. Reip Memorial 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.