Bill Text: WV HCR15 | 2020 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins Bridge
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Completed legislative action [HCR15 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2020-HCR15-Comm_Sub.html
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15
By Delegates Longstreth, Angelucci, Caputo and Summers
(Originating in the Committee on Technology and
Infrastructure
February 26, 2020)
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 25-310-10.31 (25A272), locally known as Third Street Bridge, carrying WV 310 over Benoni Avenue and Coal Run in Marion County, the “Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins Bridge”.
Whereas, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins was born on March 26, 1920, to Anne Albert Thornton Rolls and Theodore Emory Rolls, Sr. She graduated from Dunbar High School and West Virginia State College; and
Whereas, Growing up in Fairmont, West Virginia, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins was introduced to flying at an early age sparking a lifelong love of it; and
Whereas, Her many accomplishments include:
Participation in and completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program at West Virginia State College, which was highly unusual due to her gender and only after successfully passing the same physical and mental examinations as her male colleagues;
Being the sole female graduate of the pilot training program at West Virginia State College, she tried out for the U.S. Air Force training program for African American combat pilots in Tuskegee Alabama, ultimately being inducted as an honorary member of the Tuskegee Airman due to her flight experience and determination to break down racial and gender barriers; and
Whereas, In a further effort to serve the United States of America during perilous times, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins sought to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) only to be rejected due to her race; and
Whereas, Upon returning to Fairmont, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins taught algebra at Dunbar High School, served as an assistant to a City director, and was employed as a manager of records at the Fairmont Clinic and served as adjunct education instructor at Fairmont State College; and
Whereas, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins served as a member of the Marion County Democrat Women and the NAACP; and
Whereas, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins departed this life on July 30, 2006, at the age of 86; and
Whereas, Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins’ life is an outstanding example of determination, selfless service and sacrifice and it is right and just to honor her memory by naming the Coal Run Hollow replacement bridge situate in Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia, “The Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins Bridge”; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 25-310-10.31 (25A272), locally known as Third Street Bridge, carrying WV 310 over Benoni Avenue and Coal Run in Marion County, the “Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins 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 “Rose Agnes Rolls Cousins 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.
