Committee Substitute
for
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 47
(By Delegates Jennings, Anderson, Coop-Gonzalez, Dittman, Drennan, Eldridge, Ellington, Ferrell, Hite, Leavitt, Parsons, Sheedy, Statler, White, Worrell, and Zatezalo)
[Originating in the Committee on Energy and Public Works; Reported on March 13, 2025]
Requesting the Division of Highways name a bridge bearing the Bridge Number: 39-072/00-001.85 () (39A236), (39.28332, -79.73050) locally known as Etam Bridge, carrying WV 072 over Buffalo Creek in Preston County as the "U.S. Army Sgt Clinton "Randy" Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Clinton "Randy" Dean was born on August 10, 1946, in Philippi, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Clinton "Randy" Dean was the son of Darrell and Mary Dean, and had four siblings: Darrell Jr., Martha, Joe, and Sara; and
Whereas, Clinton "Randy" Dean graduated from Rowlesburg High School in June of 1965; and
Whereas, Shortly after, Clinton "Randy" Dean enlisted in the Army, and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and
Whereas, Clinton "Randy" Dean married his high school sweetheart, Mary Kay, on June 2, 1967; and
Whereas, Clinton "Randy" Dean became a Sergeant, and was with the 101st Airborne Division and 82nd Artillery Division; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean went on to serve a tour of duty in Vietnam from June, 1967 until January, 1968; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean's tour ended when his leg was hit with shrapnel; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean was the recipient of several honors, including the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Ribbon, and an Army Meritorious Unit Commendation; and
Whereas, Upon his release from the hospital and return to the States, Sgt Dean was stationed at Fort Seal, Oklahoma until he completed his service in December 1968, when he and his wife then moved back home to West Virginia; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean worked beside his dad at the family sawmill until he started his own business in 1973; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean became owner and operator of CR Dean Trucking; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean and Mary Kay had three children: Laura, Melissa, and Clinton, and they also had seven grandchildren: Derek, Dylan, Ryan, Gabrielle, Ashley, Kyle, and Lindsay; and
Whereas, Sadly, Sgt Dean passed away on January 16, 2001, from lung cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam; and
Whereas, Sgt Dean proudly served his country and worked hard to provide for his family; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Sergeant Clinton "Randy" Dean and his contributions to Preston County, and West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a bridge bearing the Bridge Number: 39-072/00-001.85 () (39A236), (39.28332, -79.73050) locally known as Etam Bridge, carrying WV 072 over Buffalo Creek in Preston County as the "U.S. Army Sgt Clinton "Randy" Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying the bridge as the "U.S. Army Sgt Clinton "Randy" Dean 101st Airborne Vietnam Veterans 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.