HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 58

(By Delegates Jennings, Street, Storch, Barnhart, Reynolds, Cooper, Dittman, Smith, Jeffries, Tully, and Hornby)

February 27, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Committee on Rules

Requesting the Division of Highways name Bridge Number: 39-051/00-000.13  () (39A116), (39.34951, -79.66801) locally known as Rowlesburg W-Beam, carrying CR 51 over Cheat River in Preston County, the "U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Steven "Todd" Shay was born in Rowlesburg, West Virginia on December 4, 1965, to Francis and Beverly Shay. Growing up on Lantz Ridge, Todd found a love of hunting and fishing with his father and brothers, a passion he then shared with his sons; and

Whereas, After graduating from high school, Todd enlisted in the United States Army in 1985, where he became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. After some time in the 82nd Airborne, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay transferred to the US Army National Guard 229th Engineering Detachment, later the 115th Engineering Detachment, and came home to West Virginia and Lantz Ridge, where family was the most important thing to him, especially his two sons, Alex and William; and

Whereas, During his time in the 229th Engineering Detachment, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay had two combat tours overseas, 2001-2002 in Kuwait, and 2009-2010 for Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom; Todd also performed flood duty numerous times on state orders while serving in the West Virginia Army National Guard to help the state and citizens with natural disasters and humanitarian efforts; and

Whereas, During his military service while in the 82nd Airborne, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay graduated from Central Carolina Community College with an Electrical Engineering Technology Degree; when he returned home to West Virginia, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay put his degree to use and worked at the West Virginia University Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) for over 25 years; and

Whereas, To U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay, family was everything to him; so when his nephew, F.D. was being deployed with the Service Battery of the 1^ST Battalion of the 201^st   Infantry in the National Guard, he voluntarily requested a transfer so that he could deploy with his nephew, who he called a brother, for his second combat deployment in 2004-2005 for Operation Enduring Freedom; and

Whereas, After returning home from his third combat tour, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay enjoyed spending time with his family and telling them stories about all the adventures he and his nephew had together; and

Whereas, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay's world was expanded when he became a grandfather; he was a very proud father and grandfather and would tell everyone about his sons and grandkid and loved spending time with them all and telling his grandkids stories; and

Whereas, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay retired from his military career in 2011; his awards for his service included the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Army Achievement Medal (5th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Noncommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon; and

Whereas, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay When Todd wasn't spending time with his family, enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and visiting numerous veteran memorials and military monuments across the country, showing his patriotism as a proud combat veteran; and

Whereas, U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay died on July 11, 2022; and

Whereas, The Town Council of Rowlesburg has voted to approve the naming of this bridge in the town after U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay, "an honorable veteran"; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay 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: 39-051/00-000.13 () (39A116), (39.34951, -79.66801) locally known as Rowlesburg W-Beam, carrying CR 51 over Cheat River in Preston County, the "U. S. Army SSG Steven "Todd" Shay 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 SSG Steven "Todd" Shay Memorial Bridge; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.