SENATE RESOLUTION 106

(By Senators Plymale, Woelfel, Carmichael (Mr. President), Azinger, Baldwin, Beach, Blair, Boley, Boso, Clements, Cline, Facemire, Hamilton, Hardesty, Ihlenfeld, Jeffries, Lindsay, Mann, Maroney, Maynard, Palumbo, Prezioso, Roberts, Romano, Rucker, Smith, Stollings, Swope, Sypolt, Takubo, Tarr, Trump, Unger, and Weld)

[Introduced July 23, 2019]

Memorializing the life of the Honorable Robert R. Nelson, veteran, former mayor of the City of Huntington, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former member of the West Virginia Senate, and dedicated public servant.

Whereas, The Honorable Robert R. Nelson was born and raised in Whitesville, West Virginia, in the coal camp of Blue Pennant, the son of Joda F. and Opal W. Nelson; and

Whereas, The Honorable Robert R. Nelson graduated from Sherman High School in Boone County before serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1953-1957; and

Whereas, The Honorable Robert R. Nelson graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1960, and would later earn his Master of Arts degree in Political Science in 1967; and

Whereas, The Honorable Robert R. Nelson was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1964 and served three terms, until his election to the West Virginia Senate in 1970, where he served four terms.  While in the Senate, he served as Senate President Pro Tempore and on the Committees on Energy, Industry, and Mining, Government Organization, Military, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education, the Judiciary, and as Chairman of the Committee on Finance; and

Whereas, During his tenure in the West Virginia Legislature, the Honorable Robert R. Nelson was known as the “Voice of Marshall University”, sponsoring legislation that would lead to the construction of the Cam Henderson Center and then Marshall Stadium (now Joan C. Edwards Stadium). He also helped secure funds for the Marshall Library, Smith Hall, and the Memorial Student Center; and

Whereas, The Honorable Robert R. Nelson was elected as the 67th mayor of Huntington in 1985. Among his many accomplishments while holding that office was the founding of the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation to honor the Father of Black History, who grew up in Huntington; and

Whereas, The Honorable Robert R. Nelson was a professor of Political Science and History at Marshall University and served as a student liaison and instructor of a Marshall University internship program in which students were placed throughout state government at the Capitol in Charleston as part of their college instruction; and

Whereas, For his contributions to the campus as a student; for his lifetime of dedication to Marshall, Huntington, and the state of West Virginia; and for his generosity in devoting his time and effort to local agencies, community causes, and students across the state, the Honorable Robert R. Nelson was recognized as the Marshall University College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Alumnus for 2017; and

Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable Robert R. Nelson passed away on March 14, 2019, ending an extraordinary life of public service and leaving behind a host of family and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly; and

Whereas, It is fitting that the Senate pay tribute to the life and legacy of the Honorable Robert R. Nelson for his many contributions to his community, state, and nation; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable Robert R. Nelson, veteran, former mayor of the City of Huntington, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former member of the West Virginia Senate, and dedicated public servant; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its most sincere condolences to the family of the Honorable Robert R. Nelson on his passing; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable Robert R. Nelson.