SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 39

(By Senators Miller, Plymale, Laird and Unger)

[Introduced February 19, 2016.]

Requesting Division of Highways to name bridge numbered 13-60-41.35 (13A118), that intersects over Dry Creek, also known as the Dry Creek Bridge, located at latitude 37.79396, -80.30068 on Route 60, Main Street, in White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, the “Clifford Family Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, The Clifford family of Greenbrier County first settled in White Sulphur Springs in 1879 when John Joseph Clifford, then a railroad conductor, and his new bride, Mary Ann McDonough Clifford, arrived there to establish their residential home; and

Whereas, The Clifford family became prominent in White Sulphur Springs, where they built their home and raised their many children; and

Whereas, The Cliffords of Greenbrier County have a rich history of military service to this country, as two of John Joseph Clifford’s sons were recipients of the distinguished Silver Star; and

Whereas, Leo Michael Clifford, one of John Joseph Clifford’s sons, served in WWII in Meuse-Argonne, France, in the Argonne Forrest in the 116th Infantry, 29th Division and was wounded and received the Purple Heart for his distinguished and heroic service; and

Whereas, Both of Leo Michael Clifford’s sons, Leo Michael Clifford, Jr. and Thomas Rufus Clifford, served in the Korean War; Leo in the U. S. Army and Thomas in the U. S. Navy; and

Whereas, Many other members of the Clifford family played important and pivotal roles in shaping and contributing to the White Sulphur Springs community. In fact, three of John Joseph Clifford’s great grandchildren still reside in White Sulphur Springs with their respective families; and

Whereas, it is fitting to memorialize the importance of the Clifford family’s longstanding heritage and many civic contributions  to the community of White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County and their distinguished service in the U. S. Military by naming the aforementioned bridge in their cumulative honor; therefore, be it,

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge numbered 13-60-41.35 (13A118), that intersects over Dry Creek, also known as the Dry Creek Bridge,  located at latitude 37.79396, -80.30068 on Route 60, Main Street, in White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, the “Clifford Family Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the “Clifford Family 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 and to Gordon W. Lewis, Jr., of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.