COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

H. C. R. 9

(By Delegates L. Phillips, Arvon, R. Phillips, Rodighiero,

                                    H. White and B. White)

(Originating in the House Committee on Rules)

[February 19, 2015]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 55-54-1.44, locally known as the Winding Gulf Bridge, carrying WV Route 54 over Slab Fork in Wyoming County, the "U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox Memorial Bridge."

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox was born in Wyco, West Virginia, on August 19, 1930 to John Manual Wilcox and Nona Morefield Wilcox; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox attended Mullens High School, where he graduated in 1949. He also attended Concord College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education in 1956. He continued his education at West Virginia University, where he obtained a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and was a member of the Irwin Stewart Society; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox served his country in three branches of the military. He joined the United States Marine Corp and fought in the Korean War. He also served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force in the West Virginia Air National Guard 130th Airlift Wing, in Charleston, West Virginia, from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox began working for the Wyoming County Board of Education as a teacher at Herndon High School in 1956, where he also held the positions of Guidance Counselor, Basketball Coach, and Assistant Principal. He also worked for the Wyoming County Board of Education's Central Office, where he held the positions of Transportation Director, Maintenance Director, and Associate Superintendent of Schools, before retiring after 33 years of service in 1989; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox wed Carolyn Louise McConihay in 1981, and was happily married for 32 years. He had one daughter, Joni Wilcox McKinney, who preceded him in death; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox was active in his community. He served on the Board of Directors of First Peoples Bank, owned and operated Mullens Dairy Queen for fifty-seven years, served as Vice President of the Daily Queen Northeastern Store Owners Association, and was one of four founders of WPMW, C92 radio station in Mullens, West Virginia; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Loyal Order of the Moose, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and

            Whereas, Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox died May 23, 2014; and

            Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate his service to both his community and country; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 55-54-1.44, located on West Virginia Route 54 in Mullens, West Virginia, carrying WV Route 54 over Slab Fork and locally known as the Winding Gulf Bridge, the "U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox 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 "U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox 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 family of the late Lt. Col. John Richard "Toots" Wilcox.