HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 52

(By Delegates Arvon, Staggers, O'Neal, Moye, Sumner,

                         Perry and Pino)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 41-1-24.51 on Maple Fork Road where it connects with Cirtsville Road in Raleigh County, the “Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. was born September 17, 1956, a son of the late Clarence and Pearl Chapman; and

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. was raised on Maple Fork Road in Raleigh County along with his ten brothers and two sisters; and

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. was a third generation coal miner who followed his father and grandfather into the mines; and

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. was tragically killed on April 5, 2010, along with 28 other miners in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion; and

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. was a devoted family man who always had a smile on his face, and who enjoyed hunting, fishing and working in his garden; and

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. was preceded in death by three brothers, Billy, Robert, and Clarence Chapman, and two sisters-in-law, Carol Chapman and Joyce Chapman; and those left to cherish his loving memory include his wife, Laura Chapman; children by his first marriage, Donna Griffith and husband, Matthew, Vicky Williams and husband, Richard, Kenny Chapman, Jr. and wife, Deniese; a son by his second marriage, Michael Austin Chapman; his other children, Jason McMillion, Carol Massey, and Jubal McMillion and wife, Sarah; brothers and sisters, Charles Chapman and wife, Grace, Glen Chapman and wife, Judy, Dennis Chapman and wife, Gaye, Henry Chapman and wife, Theresia, Larry Chapman and wife, Betty, Linda Frye and husband, Ronnie, Breanda Bailey and husband, Glenn, Jimmy Chapman and wife, Brenda, Ronnie Chapman and wife, Lisa; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family; and

    Whereas, Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. not only loved his family, he loved his job because it was in his blood and he felt like he was making a contribution to "help keep the lights on" for all of us; and

    Whereas, It is only fitting that we name this bridge on Maple Fork Road to honor Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr., where he lived all his life and is now buried; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 41-1-24.51 on Maple Fork Road where it connects with Cirtsville Road in Raleigh County, the “Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. 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 “Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to Kenneth A. Chapman's sister, Breanda Chapman Bailey, and family.