HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5
(By Delegates Caputo, Manchin, Fragale and Longstreth)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name the new Watson Bridge
over the West Fork River on U.S. Route 250 in Fairmont, Marion
County, West Virginia, the "Watson Senior Citizens Bridge in
Honor of Jim Costello".
Whereas, Jim Costello was born in Monongah, Marion County, June
26, 1923, one of seven children, the son of John Costello, a coal
miner, and Amanda Dee Swisher Costello, a midwife, and he passed
away on June 7, 2002, leaving a wife, Evelyn Muto Costello, a
daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Marc Cervo, son and
daughter-in-law, Pat and Jenni Costello, a sister, Margaret
Biafore, four grandchildren, Cara Hose and her husband, Steve Hose,
Ryan, Brett and Jessica Costello; and
Whereas, Jim Costello served in the United States Navy during
World War II and saw action in the South Pacific Theater on a PT
boat. He also worked as a coal miner and completed 35 years of
service at the Owen-Illinois Glass Plant serving as president of
Local Union No. 109; and
Whereas, Jim Costello served as a supervisor for the West
Virginia Department of Highways and during that time, he was instrumental in overseeing many projects for Marion County. He
oversaw the removal of the dangerous curve at Dakota and the
replacement of the current Watson Bridge structure in addition to
many other highway projects; and
Whereas, Jim Costello was a strong Democrat and was involved
with the Democratic Party serving on the executive committee and as
precinct captain. He was the Marion County coordinator of several
gubernatorial campaigns and was honored in 1997 as the Democrat of
the year in Marion County; and
Whereas, It is fitting that the Watson Bridge be named for this
true West Virginian who dedicated his life to improving Marion
County and this state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
to name the new Watson Bridge over the West Fork River on U.S.
Route 250 in Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia, the "Watson
Senior Citizens Bridge in Honor of Jim Costello"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways provide and
erect signs at either end of the bridge displaying the name "Watson
Senior Citizens Bridge in Honor of Jim Costello"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is
hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the
Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to the family of
Jim Costello.