Bill Text: WV SCR50 | 2022 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

West Virginia Senate Concurrent Resolution 50 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: US Army T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. Memorial Bridge

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2022-03-12 - House Message received [SCR50 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2022-SCR50-Comm_Sub.html

Committee Substitute

for

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 50

(By Senators Baldwin and Woodrum)

[Originating in the Committee on Rules; reported March 10, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 13-060/29-000.01 (13A271), (37.99398, -80.74791), locally known as Reese Bridge, carrying County Route 60/29 over Meadow River in Greenbrier County, the “U. S. Army T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. was born on March 30, 1924, in Oak Hill, West Virginia to John William and Anna Cruse; and

Whereas, Technician Fifth Grade (T/5) John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. served in the US Army during World War II from July 13th, 1944, to December 18, 1945, when he was honorably discharged. During his service, he was a T/5 under George Patton with the 2nd Armored Division nicknamed “Hell on Wheels”. While T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. was serving, he had four brothers also deployed for active duty during WWII; and

Whereas, T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. received a Purple Heart after being wounded in action on the Rhine River. He was also awarded the Bronze Star; and

Whereas, In a picture taken during his service, T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. is seen cracking a smile after learning that Germany had surrendered and the war was over; in that moment, he and his unit were 10 miles outside of Berlin; and

Whereas, T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. married Margaret Dollie Gipson Cruse in 1951, and they had four children; and

Whereas, T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. raised his family in McRoss, which is just across the bridge proposed to be named in his honor herein; and

Whereas, According to his children, T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. was a family man who valued Christianity and education, and he was often a quiet man unless he had an opinion, in which case he would let you know what he thought; and

Whereas, T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse Jr. passed away on June 5, 2003. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Dolly Cruse, and his children, Rev. Bill Cruse, Judy Cruse Dean, Don Cruse, and John Melvin Cruse (d.2004); and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse 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 13-060/29-000.01 (13A271), (37.99398, -80.74791), locally known as Reese Bridge, carrying County Route 60/29 over Meadow River in Greenbrier County, the “U. S. Army T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse 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. Army T/5 John William (J.W.) Cruse 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.