HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 42

(By Delegate Atkinson, Westfall, D. Jeffries, J. Kelly, and Canestraro)

[Introduced January 30, 2019]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number :44-7-3.42 (44A015), locally known as Grace Bridge, carrying County Route 7 over Spring Creek in Roane County, the “U. S. Navy Petty Officer 2d Class Joseph Allen Ashley Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Joseph Allen Ashley was born in Akron, Ohio on September 4, 1980.  He attended Manchester High School and graduated in 1999; and

Whereas, Joseph Allen Ashley enlisted int the U. S. Navy on April 26, 2001, and he achieved a milestone in his career as a Submariner.  He earned the coveted Enlisted Silver “Dolphins”.  He spent his summers and leave time from the Navy in Roane County at a cabin his parents built in 1997; and

Whereas, Petty Officer 2d Class Joseph Allen Ashley died at age 24 in January 2005 from injuries suffered in a submarine accident in the Pacific.  He was survived by his parents, Daniel and Vicki Ashley and two brothers, Daniel Ashley, Jr. and Benjamin Ashley; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Petty Officer 2d Class Joseph Allen Ashley 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 :44-7-3.42 (44A015), locally known as Grace Bridge, carrying County Route 7 over Spring Creek in Roane County, the “U. S. Navy Petty Officer 2d Class Joseph Allen Ashley Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Navy Petty Officer 2d Class Joseph Allen Ashley Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

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