Committee Substitute

for

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 28

(By Senators Jeffries, Baldwin, Beach, Facemire, Ihlenfeld, Lindsay, Plymale, Prezioso, Romano, Stollings, Unger, and Hardesty)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Reported February 27, 2019]

 

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of U.S. Route 35 at the intersection with Interstate 64, in Putnam County, the “U.S. Army SP5 James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road”.

Whereas, James Henry Caruthers was born on August 11, 1945, to James Henry and Josephine Della “Teeny” Legg Caruthers.  He graduated from Poca High School in 1963 and attended Concord College.

Whereas, In 1966, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly and honorably served his country in Vietnam; and 

Whereas, Upon his discharge, he returned to his company, Putnam Fabrication. He was also employed by Terradon Corporation and West Virginia Steel. He was elected to three terms as Putnam County Commissioner, and also elected Mayor of Poca and councilman. In 2001, Jim was appointed by Governor Bob Wise to serve on the West Virginia Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board. He initiated the Putnam County Transportation Committee, which still exists today. He was a member of the Central West Virginia Regional Airport, the Putnam County Republican Executive Committee, the Nitro Moose, and a life member of the VFW, Post 9097, Hurricane, West Virginia; and

Whereas, While recognized and winning numerous awards for his public service, in 2008, Jim was selected for the PF Tucker Award by the Regional Intergovernmental Council. In 2011, he was proud to receive the Mayo Lester Community Service Award, bestowed upon him by the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and, in 2015, was presented with the Distinguished West Virginian Award by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin; and

Whereas, James Henry Caruthers, 72, a life-long resident of Poca, West Virginia, passed away, Wednesday, March 28, 2018, is survived by his adoring wife, Kim Blair; son, Jonathan Caruthers (Warrant Officer, USMC, stationed in Beaufort, South Carolina), and his partner, Jillianne Sprague; other sons, Jeffrey Blair, Esq. and his wife, Dr. Amy Schultz of Scott Depot, West Virginia; and Brian Blair and partner Desi Andrews of Parkersburg, West Virginia; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate James Henry Caruthers 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 a portion of U.S. Route 35 at the intersection with Interstate 64, in Putnam County, the “U.S. Army SP5 James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of the road as the “U.S. Army SP5 James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road”; 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.