SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 27
(By Senator Chafin)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge on Route 49
crossing the Tug Fork River from Matewan, Mingo County, West
Virginia, to Buskirk, Kentucky, the "Michael S. Justice
Bridge".
Whereas, Michael S. Justice, who served his nation with pride
and distinction in the United States Navy, was assigned to the
battleship USS Iowa; and
Whereas, On April 19, 1989, the USS Iowa was engaged in
gunnery exercises 330 miles northeast of Puerto Rico. Suddenly,
there was an explosion and subsequent fire on the second of two
forward turrets at the loading position of the middle gun in the
three-gun turret. As a result of the explosion, 47 sailors were
killed; and
Whereas, Sadly, one of the sailors killed on that terrible day
was West Virginia native Michael S. Justice of Matewan, Mingo
County; and
Whereas, It is fitting that a lasting tribute be paid to the
honor and memory of Michael S. Justice who was killed while in
service to his nation; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways name the bridge on Route 49 crossing the Tug Fork River from
Matewan, Mingo County, West Virginia, to Buskirk, Kentucky, the
"Michael S. Justice 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 "Michael S. Justice Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of
the Department of Transportation.