SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 29

(By Senator Romano)

[Introduced March 18, 2021]

 

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 17-098/00-004.06 (17A348), locally known as V.A. Hospital Bridge, carrying WV 98 over Fitness Trail in Harrison County, the “U.S.M.C. CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Harry Edward Dean, Jr., was educated during the era of the polio pandemic and received his degree in physical therapy in 1950, after being interrupted for his service in the U.S.M.C. during WW II. He served in the Pacific during WW II with combat tours in Okinawa, the Ryukyu Islands, and occupied China; and

Whereas, CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., was one of the state’s first physical therapists, advocate, and friend for thousands of West Virginia children with disabilities.  He held a full-time job at the VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, while treating disabled children in his spare time, teaming with the Clarksburg Rotary Club to launch the Children’s Treatment Center in 1955; and

Whereas, CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., while continuing his treatment of children with disabilities, was the first licensed physical therapist to open the St. Mary’s Hospital Physical Therapy Department and, as the head physical therapist, he became the executive director of the Easter Seal Society in 1971; and

Whereas, CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., began a two-week summer camping program in 1971 for children with disabilities at Camp Horseshoe, Parsons, West Virginia. He mentored medical school students who served as counselors year after year, out of respect for his selfless passion, and in turn becoming life-long friends, inspiring dozens with the same selfless passion; and

Whereas, No fees were ever charged for any of the services provided at the Children’s Treatment Center during the time CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., was director because he and others raised the needed funds through private and corporate donations, grants, and trusts. He always said he was richly rewarded with the success of the children with disabilities he treated and gratitude of their families; and

Whereas, CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the West Virginia Physical Therapy Association, and was awarded the West Virginia Physical Therapy Pioneer Award in 2007; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S.M.C. CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., 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 17-098/00-004.06 (17A348), locally known as V.A. Hospital Bridge, carrying WV 98 over Fitness Trail in Harrison County, the “U.S.M.C. CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., Memorial 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 “U.S.M.C. CPL Harry Edward Dean Jr., Memorial Bridge”; 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.