Bill Text: WV HCR89 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Hajash Brothers Memorial Bridge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-12 - House Message received [HCR89 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2022-HCR89-Amended.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 89
(By Delegate Bates)
[February 23, 2022]
Requesting the Division of Highways name Bridge Numbers 41-077/00-040.83 (NB & SB) (41A221, 41A228), (37.74329, -81.20788) locally known as I-77 OVER PINEY CR (NB & SB), carrying IS 77 over PINEY CREEK and CSX RR in Raleigh County, the “Hajash Brothers WWII Veterans Memorial Bridge”.
Whereas, 
The
Hajash Brothers were born to lstvoiny (Steve Sr.) and Rosalia Tajti
Hajash, Hungarian Immigrants who migrated to the United
States in 1914 after Steve Sr. had
come to the United
States in 1908 and again in 1912 to work in the coal mines for U.S.
Steel. They began their new life around the Gary area of McDowell County,
W.Va., with the first born
son, Joachim, who was born in Matra-Mindazent Hungary in 1912. One
by one they began having
children Steve Jr. 1914, John 1917, Nick 1919, George 1920, Andy 1921, Martin 1924. All
of the children were born at Elbert, McDowell
County except for Joachim, born in Hungary and Andy, who was born at Whipple,
Fayette County, W.Va. They lived there until they moved to Glen Morgan in Raleigh
County in 1933. Then they moved to Larew Ave. In East Beckley
in 1937; and
Whereas, When WWII began, the seven brothers began enlisting into various branches of the United States Military; and
Whereas, Joachim Hajash was a Private, US Army; and
Whereas, Steve Hajash Jr. was a Seaman First Class, US Coast Guard; and
Whereas, John Hajash was a Corporal, US Army Air Corps; and
Whereas, Nick Hajash was a Sergeant, US Army, and
Whereas, George Hajash was a Private, US Army, and
Whereas, Andy Hajash was a Sergeant, US Army; and
Whereas, Martin Hajash was a Petty Officer 3rd Class US Navy; and
Whereas, All of the brothers returned home to West Virginia when the war was over. Most of them started families and branched off into the everyday workforce. Andy, Martin, and Nick worked for Biggs-Johnston-Withrow Commercial Printers and Publishers. Andy eventually moved to Waycross, Georgia, and then to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked in the printing industry, then for the U.S. Postal Service, where he later retired. He passed away in 2017. Nick went to work for Beckley Newspapers, where he later retired. He passed away in 2007. Martin remained at BJW for 41 years and retired as a composing room foreman. He passed away in 1992. George worked various jobs and eventually went to work for the U.S. Postal Service, where he later retired. He passed away in 2012. Joachim worked for Columbia Gas, WOAY TV and was a photographer. He passed away in 1991. Steve Jr. Moved to Camden, New Jersey, and started a family there. He and his wife returned home to West Virginia after retirement from the shipyards. He passed away in 2008. John went back into the coal mines for the New River Co. at Stanford #2 where he was killed in a roof fall in 1963; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate the Hajash Brothers and their 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 Numbers 41-077/00-040.83 (NB & SB) (41A221, 41A228), (37.74329, -81.20788) locally known as I-77 OVER PINEY CR (NB & SB), carrying IS 77 over PINEY CREEK and CSX RR in Raleigh County the “Hajash Brothers WWII Veterans 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 “Hajash Brothers WWII 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.
