Bill Text: WV HCR54 | 2016 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Byron 'Bray' Kelley Memorial Bridge
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-11 - House received Senate message [HCR54 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2016-HCR54-Comm_Sub.html
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 54
By Delegates R. Smith, Shaffer, J. Nelson and Wagner
Originating in the Committee on Roads and Transportation
Requesting the Division of Highways to name Bridge Number 39-73/73-8.46 (39A143) (39.65892, -79.63833), locally known as Bruceton Mills Bridge, carrying County Route 73/73 over Big Sandy Creek in Bruceton Mills, Preston County, the "U.S. Army PFC Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Byron "Bray" Kelley was born in the Centenary area of Preston County to Albon and Sadie Kelley on April 26, 1926. "Bray" was the 6th of 7 children; his elder siblings included eldest brother, Junior, twin sisters, Mary and Martha, brother, Harry, and sister, Jean. Bray was closest in age and had a strong bond to his younger brother Willard. His father was a farmer and was also employed at the Woolen Mills near Bruceton Mills; and
Whereas, Byron "Bray" Kelley loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting more than fishing: and
Whereas, Byron "Bray" Kelley attended school at the Union Grove School, which was a one room school in the Bruceton Mills area; and
Whereas, Byron "Bray" Kelley was a worker and a doer; he left school at age 16 to begin working on a clearing crew for the Youghiogheny Dam, and later worked for the Monongahela Power Company, clearing land for power line rights-of- way; and
Whereas, Bray was drafted into the U. S. Army at age 18 and was assigned to the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division of the 10th Army during World War II; he had just turned 19 years old when he was killed in action on May 7, 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa, Japan, the last and bloodiest battle in the Pacific Theater, which was also the day Germany surrendered, ending the war in Europe; and
Whereas, PFC Byron "Bray" Kelley is a Preston County Hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country and is sadly missed by his family; he now proudly rests in the West Virginia National Cemetery at Grafton, West Virginia; and
Whereas, The short life and sacrifice of U.S. Army PFC Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley should not go unnoticed and the naming of a bridge in his name is fitting and proper; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name Bridge Number 39-73/73-8.46 (39A143) (39.65892, -79.63833), locally known as Bruceton Mills Bridge, carrying County Route 73/73 over Big Sandy Creek in Bruceton Mills, Preston County, the " U.S. Army PFC Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the " U.S. Army PFC Byron ‘Bray’ Kelley Memorial 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 any surviving relatives of Byron “Bray” Kelley.
