HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 21

(By Delegate Westfall)

February 8, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Committee on Rules

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 18-015/01-000.29 () 18A193, (38.80947 -81.70504)), locally known as the Ripley Jr. High Bridge (CSWB), carrying CR 15/01 over Mill Creek, in Jackson County, the "Michael Lee "Rube" Ruben Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Michael Lee Ruben, affectionately known as "Rube," was born on June 13, 1958, the son of two loving parents in Wesley and Shirley Ruben; and

Whereas, A lifelong resident of Ripley, Rube was a 1976 Ripley High School graduate and then earned a degree in journalism from Marshall University; and

Whereas, Rube became the public address announcer for Ripley High School football and basketball games while still in high school; he was the "voice" of Ripley's Memorial Stadium for 45 years; this past fall was his first away from announcing the happenings at the Home of the Vikings; and

Whereas, "It's football time in Death Valley. Let's bring on the Vikings" is the introduction Rube did on a whim one Friday in the'80s and it has been a part of Viking football lore ever since and will be for years to come; and

Whereas, Besides football and basketball, Rube also handled PA duties for wrestling, baseball and track and field for Ripley High; he also did numerous middle school and youth league events during his lifetime; and

Whereas, Rube also did PA work at Marshall University; he was the "voice" for several years at old Fairfield Stadium and Joan C. Edwards Stadium for football in addition to basketball's Cam Henderson Center; and

Whereas, Rube got his start as a journalist while in high school by writing for his hometown newspaper, The Jackson Herald; later in life, Rube served as the editor for both The Jackson Herald and The Jackson Star-News (formerly The Ravenswood News); and

Whereas, Rube also coached youth baseball and was a part of two West Virginia state championship Babe Ruth and All-Star teams; he also managed Senior Babe Ruth and American Legion teams; and

Whereas, Rube became a noted historian of not only his hometown but Jackson County as a whole; Rube was the winner of an array of honors throughout his career as a writer; his professional life also included stints with West Virginia Media, The State Journal and The Parkersburg Sentinel; he also worked in public relations for Jackson General Hospital; and

Whereas, Rube's talented voice and writing skills made him a natural for radio; he was an award-winning news director for WTCR radio in Huntington/Ashland during the early '80s before returning to Ripley for the remainder of his life; and

Whereas, Rube did many games for WCEF-FM in Ripley over the course of time and in recent years, co­ hosted a podcast entitled "Viking 360" with Brian Johnson; and

Whereas, In 2014, Rube helped found and became director for the Ripley Convention and Visitors Bureau, which also houses a museum; and

Whereas, Rube worked closely with Ripley's famed Fourth of July celebration, the Cedar Lakes Foundation, the Ripley High Athletic Boosters and countless other organizations; and

Whereas, Rube was a champion for our youth and helped many to grow into outstanding adults and citizens; ones who would, and are, making a difference, just as he did; and

Whereas, The love he had for his hometown prompted Rube to write, direct, and act in a play, "Ripley: The Man and the Town that honors his name"; it was one of his proudest moments; and

Whereas, In 2014, Rube was presented with the prestigious Distinguished Community Service Award for his years of dedication to making Jackson County a better place to live; and

Whereas, Rube's spirit never wavered; in 2011, he suffered a stroke; his amazing grit and determination were something to behold and an inspiration for us all; and

Whereas, Rube's final basketball game at the Ripley Health Center came on December 27, 2022 in the Hatchet on the Hardwood battle as the Vikings hosted rival Ravenswood; Ripley treated Rube to one final victory with a last-second buzzer-beater; and

Whereas, Rube attended Calvary United Methodist Church; and

Whereas, Rube passed away on January 2, 2023; there will never be another like him; Ripley, Jackson County and beyond were blessed to have had Michael Lee Ruben- the one and only "Rube."; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Michael Lee Ruben and his contributions to Ripley, Jackson County, and our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name 18-015/01-000.29 () 18A193, (38.80947 -81.70504)), locally known as the Ripley Jr. High Bridge (CSWB), carrying CR 15/01 over Mill Creek, in Jackson County, the "Michael Lee "Rube" Ruben 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 "Michael Lee "Rube" Ruben Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.