SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 17

(By Senators Phillips, Stollings, Hamilton, Lindsay, Unger, and Jeffries)

[Introduced March 8, 2021]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 23-017/09-000.06 (23A054), locally known as Clothier Box Beam, carrying CR 17/9 over Spruce Fork in Logan County, the “U.S.M.C. CAPT Dempsey Stowers Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Dempsey Stowers, a native of Bulger, West Virginia, was born September 7, 1941, and died February 23, 2020; and

Whereas, Dempsey Stowers proudly joined the United States Marine Corps in 1960. He served for as a signal intelligence/electronic warfare officer; and

Whereas, Dempsey Stowers retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 23 years, earning the rank of captain; and

Whereas, CAPT Dempsey Stowers obtained numerous medals for his exceptional service, including the National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Navy Union Citation, Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, and three letters of Commendations; and

Whereas, Upon retirement from his service, CAPT Dempsey Stowers returned home to West Virginia where he and his wife, Judy Stowers, raised their family, and

Whereas, CAPT Dempsey Stowers was active in his community and church, where he was widely known as a leader and exemplification of service; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S.M.C. CAPT Dempsey Stowers 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 23-017/09-000.06 (23A054), locally known as Clothier Box Beam, carrying CR 17/9 over Spruce Fork in Logan County, the “U.S.M.C. CAPT Dempsey Stowers Memorial Bridge”.

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U.S.M.C. CAPT Dempsey Stowers Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.