SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12

(By Senators Weld, Jeffries, and Stollings)

[Introduced January 27, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 05-1-0.80 (05A001), locally known as Harmon Creek Bridge, carrying CR1 over Harmon Creek and Panhandle Trail in Brooke County, the “U.S. Army PFC Gary Alcott Birkhimer Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Gary Alcott Birkhimer was born on October 3, 1930, in Colliers, Brooke County, to Terry and Ella Birkhimer; and

Whereas, Gary Alcott Birkhimer enlisted in the U.S. Army at the time of the Korean War; and

Whereas, Gary Alcott Birkhimer was a Private First Class as a heavy weapons infantryman in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division; and

Whereas, PFC Gary Alcott Birkhimer was killed in action on April 11, 1951, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Army PFC Gary Alcott Birkhimer and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 05-1-0.80 (05A001), locally known as Harmon Creek Bridge, carrying CR1 over Harmon Creek and Panhandle Trail in Brooke County, the “U.S. Army PFC Gary Alcott Birkhimer 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 PFC Gary Alcott Birkhimer 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 Commissioner of the Division of Highways.