Committee Substitute
for
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 26
(By Delegates Cooper, Heckert, Toney, and Roop)
[Originating in the Committee on Energy and Public Works; Reported on March 10, 2025]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 45-012/00-001.21(45A024), locally known as Bradshaw Creek Bridge at Latitude 37.54774, Longitude -80.80074, carrying County Route 12 over Bradshaw Creek in Summers County, the "U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Jimmie M. Hutchison was born on May 25, 1916, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, to Oscar and Emma Hutchison; and
Whereas, Hutchison attended Forest Hill through junior high school, then moved to live with his older brother in order to attend in Winding Gulf so that he could attend and graduate from Collins High School because Forest Hill did not offer high school education at that time. After completing high school, he attended Concord State Teacher's College, where he worked and played football as he achieved his teaching certification; and
Whereas, After college, Hutchison joined the United States Army Air Force during World War II; and
Whereas, During the three years that Hutchison served his country during World War II, he fought in the European Theater as a member of the 75th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged at the conclusion of World War II. His unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for its contribution to the success of the D-Day invasion of France by dropping units of the 101st Airborne Division into Normandy; and
Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hutchison retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Bluestone Dam after 38 years of working as a Reservoir Ranger, having earned an induction into the Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He was recognized as Mr. Bluestone Dam during the 1999 Hinton Water Festival and served as the Grand Marshal in the festival parade; and
Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hutchison was married to Mary Lowe Hutchison for 64 years before his passing, with whom he raised their children: Tom, Jeanne, and Jayme. They had six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and
Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hutchison was the oldest member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school for more than 30 years, served as church treasurer, and started the cemetery fund that assures that the church cemetery will always be cared for, and was affectionately known as the unofficial mayor of Forest Hill, where he served in various leadership roles, including PTA President, and advocated against the closure of tiny Forest Hills High School; and
Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hutchison passed away in his home in Bellepoint, West Virginia, on January 29, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison 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 45-012/00-001.21(45A024), locally known as Bradshaw Creek Bridge at Latitude 37.54774, Longitude -80.80074, carrying County Route 12 over Bradshaw Creek in Summers County, the "U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison 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 Air Force Staff Sergeant Jimmie M. Hutchison 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.