Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 37 History
OTHER VERSIONS -
Committee Substitute
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37
(By Delegate Pethtel)
Requesting the Division of Highways to rename the Reader Bridge in
Wetzel County, Bridge number 52-48-0.01, the "Sgt. Norman R.
Cunningham Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Sgt. Norman R. Cunningham was born on September 11,
1926 in Rymer, Marion County, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham attended Pine Grove High School; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham was drafted in 1944, at the age of 18,
into the United States Army's 77th Infantry Division; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham became a member of the Army Air Corps
and served during World War Two until 1947, including at Okinawa
and Yokohama, Japan; and
Whereas, During Sgt. Cunningham's service in Japan, he
attempted to save the lives of two young girls from drowning, and
was recognized by the community for his efforts; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham returned home and married Martha Lou
Brown of Piney, West Virginia, on January 17, 1948; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham reenlisted in the United States Air
Force in 1951, and went on to serve in the Korean War with the
2750th Medical Group in France and the 75th Transport Squadron; and
Whereas, After leaving the military in 1953, Sgt. Cunningham
worked for Consolidated Natural Gas for over thirty-five years
until his retirement; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham also operated a meat cutting, wrapping
and storage business in Reader, and often provided his services
free of charge to those who could not afford them; and
Whereas, In 1969, Sgt. Cunningham received an award from the
American Red Cross for saving the life of a Reader, West Virginia
girl after nearly drowning in Fishing Creek, just below the Reader
Bridge; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham was known to all who knew and loved
him as "Mr. Haney," because he enjoyed buying, selling and trading
anything and everything; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham was an active member of Trinity United
Methodist Church of Reader and a member of the Benton M. Lowe Post
81 American Legion of Pine Grove; and
Whereas, Sgt. Cunningham passed away in January, 2013, leaving
behind his beloved wife, five children, thirteen grandchildren and
fifteen great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper, that the military service of
Sgt. Cunningham, his service to the Reader community, and his life-
saving rescue under the Reader Bridge be honored by naming the
Reader Bridge in Wetzel County, Bridge number 52-48-0.01, the "Sgt.
Norman R. Cunningham Memorial Bridge"; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the
Reader Bridge in Wetzel County, Bridge number 52-48-0.01, the "Sgt.
Norman R. Cunningham 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 "Sgt. Norman R. Cunningham Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, is
hereby requested to forward a certified copy of this resolution to
the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to the
surviving family of Sgt. Norman R. Cunningham.