SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38
(By Senator Unger)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the section of Route 9
from Martinsburg to Berkeley Springs the "Ray Johnston
Memorial Highway".
Whereas, Ray Johnston was born April 3, 1934, in Albert Lea,
Minnesota; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston visited the eastern panhandle 51 years
ago and would eventually make it his home; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston was a visionary and leader for
development in the eastern panhandle; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston was an innovator who was responsible for
the creation of the Eastern Panhandle Home Builders Association,
which has manifested itself into a large, influential and
prosperous local association; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston had a major impact on the state level,
where he served as President of the West Virginia Home Builder's
Association; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston was Past President of the Martinsburg-
Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, where he spearheaded the
efforts to obtain funding for the expansion of Route 9; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston is responsible for the current segment
of Route 9 being made into a four-lane highway; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston developed many properties that will
better the quality of life for current and future generations of
West Virginians, including his crown jewel, The Woods Resort, which
is now home to more than 1,000 families and features such amenities
as golf courses, lodge, restaurant, conference center, spa, sports
center, tennis courts and swimming pools; and
Whereas, Ray Johnston was married to his beloved wife
Madeline, with whom he shared the joy of having two daughters,
Sally and Joy; and
Whereas, Sadly, Ray Johnston passed away November 14, 2008,
bringing to an end the life of a visionary, innovator and one of
West Virginia's great leaders and leaving behind his loving family
and a host of friends; and
Whereas, It is fitting to honor Ray Johnston and his
contributions to the eastern panhandle and State of West Virginia
which will benefit future generations of West Virginians to come by
naming the section of Route 9 from Martinsburg to Berkeley Springs
the "Ray Johnston Memorial Highway"; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
name the section of Route 9 from Martinsburg to Berkeley Springs
the "Ray Johnston Memorial Highway"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby
requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the highway as the "Ray Johnston Memorial Highway"; 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 and to the family of Ray Johnston.