Committee Substitute
for
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 18
(By Delegates Hornby, Horst, Chiarelli, D. Smith, Vance, Hite, W. Clark, Phillips, Funkhouser, Rohrbach, and Ferrel)
[Originating in the Committee on Energy and Public Works; Reported on March 10, 2025]
Requesting the Division of Highways change the name of Bridge Number: 02-009/00-002.54 () (02A176), (39.57445, -78.03742) locally known as Johnsontown Bridge, carrying WV 009 over Tilhance Creek in Berkeley County, to the "U.S. Army Private Paul J. Hofe Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Paul J. Hofe lived a life worthy of remembrance; and
Whereas, Paul was born on April 16, 1936, in Little Orleans, Maryland; and
Whereas, Paul served his country in the United States Army at the rank of Private; and
Whereas, After leaving the military, Paul continued his public service by working for the Internal Revenue Service through his retirement; and
Whereas, Paul decided to further contribute to his community by starting his own business called Hofe's Well Drilling, which he successfully ran for 50 years; and
Whereas, Paul was a member of the National Groundwater Association and was also the former director and president of the South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee; and
Whereas, Paul was an active advocate for well regulations and worked closely with the State Health Department concerning said regulations; and
Whereas, Paul generously donated wells to Poor House Farm Park, the Berkeley County Youth Fair Land, and local churches in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia; and
Whereas, He continued this generosity by drilling wells for many families in West Virginia who would otherwise not have been able to afford the service; and
Whereas, Paul also sponsored the Hedgesville Little League team as well as the Hedgesville High School basketball and baseball teams for many years; and
Whereas, Paul was seen as a dependable leader to the people of Berkeley County and supported his community; and
Whereas, Paul passed away due to Alzheimer's Disease on March 5, 2019, after a lifetime of service to his country, state, and community; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways change the name of Bridge Number: 02-009/00-002.54 () (02A176), (39.57445, -78.03742) locally known as Johnsontown Bridge, carrying WV 009 over Tilhance Creek in Berkeley County, to the "U.S. Army Private Paul J. Hofe 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 Private Paul J. Hofe Memorial 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.