COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43

(By Senators M. Hall, Carmichael and Stollings)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge in Putnam County, bridge number 40-35-9.68(40A157) northbound and bridge number 40-35-9.68(40A158) southbound, on Route 35 crossing over 5 and 20 Creek Road, 1.17 miles north of CR 19, the “U. S. Army Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert was born January 24, 1982, in Alexandria, Virginia, the son of Gloria Nesbitt and Benjamin Dickens. He graduated from T. C. Williams High School. He moved to West Virginia to attend West Virginia State University where he majored in communications. He enlisted in the West Virginia Army National Guard at Dunbar, West Virginia, and was assigned to Bravo Company 1/150 AR in 2001; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert was mobilized as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom on October 1, 2003, and was reassigned to Charlie Company 1/150 AR. His company was deployed to the Iraqi Theater of Operations along with the 1-150th Armor Battalion and the 30th Brigade Team on February 29, 2004. He served as an assistant gunner with the First Platoon, Charlie 12 gun truck. While patrolling on the evening of July 27, 2004, Sgt. Talbert’s convoy was the target of an enemy attack using an improvised explosive device. Three of his fellow soldiers were injured, but Sgt. Talbert absorbed the brunt of the explosion and was instantly killed. Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert received the Army Service Ribbon, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge (Pistol), the Expert Marksmanship Badge (Grenade), SSI/FWS for the 30th Brigade Combat Team and the 1st Infantry Division and, posthumously, a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with V Device; and

    Whereas, Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and in doing so represented West Virginia and his country with the highest levels of honor and courage and his sacrifice should not go unnoticed. Naming this bridge in Putnam County for him is an appropriate recognition of his ultimate sacrifice for state and country; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge in Putnam County, bridge number 40-35-9.68(40A157) northbound and bridge number 40-35-9.68(40A158) southbound, on Route 35 crossing over 5 and 20 Creek Road, 1.17 miles north of CR 19, the “U. S. Army Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways and the surviving family members of Sgt. Deforest Lee Talbert: Mother, Gloria Nesbitt; father, Benjamin Dickens; sisters, Tawanna Talbert-Loving, Latasha Marble and Chiquita Talbert; brother, James Talbert; and his devoted friend, Frances Hamlet.