HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 111

(By Delegates Pasdon, Fleischauer, Frich, Statler,

                                    Williams, Pethtel, Summers and R. Smith)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 31-119/39-0.12 (31A281) crossing over Deckers Creek in Morgantown, Monongalia County, the "John W. Pyles Bridge".

            Whereas, John W. Pyles has devoted over fifty years of his life in service to Monongalia County and the community of Morgantown; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles, as an elected representative of the West Virginia House of Delegates, worked tirelessly to better the quality of life in Monongalia County and Morgantown; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles served as the leader of the Democratic Party and Assessor of Monongalia County and then was elected as a member of the County Commission; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles volunteered his time and talents serving in many capacities on Morgantown and Monongalia County Boards and Committees such as the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, Monongalia County Development Authority, Metropolitan Foundation Board, Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, Main Street Morgantown, Monongalia County Historical Landmarks Committee and the Greater Morgantown Community Trust; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles was a founder of the Morgantown Celebration of America Committee to observe the birth of our great nation on July 4^th, with special recognition of veterans and other community members who worked faithfully in service to America; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles proposed and obtained funding for the Veterans Plaza at the Monongalia County Court House Square that recognizes veterans of all wars; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles spearheaded the renaming of South University Avenue in Morgantown as Don Knotts Boulevard and is currently working to place a statue of Don Knotts on the Boulevard; and

            Whereas, John W. Pyles, in 1998, worked with Governor Cecil Underwood to gain state funding to replace the South High Street Bridge when it fell into complete disrepair; and

            Whereas, On November 5, 2013, the City Council of Morgantown passed a Resolution directed to the West Virginia Legislature in support of changing the name of the South High Street Bridge to the "John W. Pyles Bridge"; and

            Whereas, It is only fitting that we honor John W. Pyles for his commitment, dedication and public service to Morgantown, Monongalia County and the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 31-119/39-0.12 (31A281) crossing over Deckers Creek in Morgantown, Monongalia County, the "John W. Pyles Bridge"; and, be it
            Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "John W. Pyles 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 John W. Pyles.