SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9

(By Senator Maynard, Stollings and Plymale)

[Introduced January 21, 2016]

Requesting Division of Highways name stretch of highway on U.S. Route 52, in Kimball, West Virginia, from mile marker 27.24 to mile marker 29.20, the “U. S. Army First Sergeant Jesse T. McPeake Memorial Road”.

Whereas, Jesse T. McPeake was born on November 13, 1944, in Kimball, West Virginia, as one of nine children; and

Whereas, Jesse enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. He later became this State’s most decorated Vietnam Veteran, earning the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Soldiers Medal, the National Defense Ribbon, the Good Conduct Metal with three loops, the Army Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with nine Silver Stars, the Vietnam Compensive Medal and the Expert Badge with Automatic Rifle; and

Whereas, In 1976, Jesse resigned from the United States Army and opened McPeake’s Furniture Store in Kimball. In 1977, Jesse and Manuel Horeluk moved to Beckley, West Virginia, and established employment together at F&W Furniture. In 1978, Jesse and Manuel moved to Welch, West Virginia, where Jesse established employment with US Steel, where he worked for twenty-eight years until 2006; and

Whereas, Jesse was a key player in the rebuilding of the WWI African American Memorial Building, being an early member of the board where he remained until 2015; and

Whereas, In 2007, Jesse, along with Manuel Horeluk and his mother Mildred, opened the Visitors Center in the Kimball Light and Water Building; and

Whereas, Jesse taught the youth of McDowell County to respect this country and its values while assisting homeless veterans; and

Whereas, Jesse passed away on July 12, 2015, and he will be greatly missed by the people who reside in McDowell County; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the stretch of highway on U. S. Route 52, in Kimball, West Virginia, from mile marker 27.24 to mile marker 29.20, the “U. S. Army First Sergeant, Jesse T. McPeake Memorial Road”; and, be it

            Further Resolved; That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the stretch of highway as the “U.S. Army First Sergeant, Jesse T. McPeake Memorial Road”; and, be it

            Further Resolved; That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of Highways and to Manuel Horeluk.