A JOINT RESOLUTION Designating Kentucky Route 7 in Letcher County from the Perry County

UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 04/09/18 11 REG. SESS. 11 RS BR 124

A JOINT RESOLUTION designating Kentucky Route 7 in Letcher County from the Perry County line to its intersection with Kentucky Route 15 at the western limits of Isom, as the "Ruben Watts Highway" in honor of former Letcher County Judge/Executive Ruben Watts. WHEREAS, Ruben Watts was born September 7, 1923, in Letcher County; and WHEREAS, Ruben Watts courageously defended his country by fighting in World War II from March 5, 1943, to January 11, 1946, with the Battery B 168th Field Artillery Battalion; and WHEREAS, while in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Ruben Watts received 2 Bronze Stars, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts, the World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal; and WHEREAS, when Ruben Watts returned from World War II, he attended Morehead State University and received a degree in history; and WHEREAS, Ruben Watts went on to teach high school for several years in Letcher County and eventually became Letcher County's assistant school superintendant; and WHEREAS, seeking to continue his education, Ruben Watts attended law school at the University of Tennessee; and WHEREAS, after his return to Letcher County, Ruben Watts decided to run for the position of Letcher County Sheriff, a position he won and served in from 1974 to 1977; and WHEREAS, when his career as sheriff ended, Ruben Watts went on to work for the Kentucky Department of Labor; and WHEREAS, he could not ignore his political calling, and in 1982 Ruben Watts became Letcher County Judge/Executive, a position he held until 1993; and WHEREAS, during his time as Letcher County Judge/Executive, Ruben Watts played an integral part in many projects that benefitted the citizens of Letcher County, including the creation of the Mountain Heritage Festival and the Blackey Public Library;

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and WHEREAS, Ruben Watts' dedication to public service reached beyond his position as Letcher County Judge/Executive. For several years he volunteered for the American Red Cross and the March of Dimes; and WHEREAS, Ruben Watts is a loving husband to his wife Betty, a loving father to is children: Yvonne Caudill, Gwenda Day, Mike Watts, and Kyle Watts, as well as a proud grandfather to his grandchildren: Micca Watts-Gordon, Michael Ruben Watts, Laura Caudill, Jaime Day, and Elliott Day; NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. The Transportation Cabinet shall honor the achievements and public service of Ruben Watts by designating Kentucky Route 7 in Letcher County, from the Perry County line at mile point 0 to its intersection with Kentucky Route 15 at the western limits of Isom at mile point 13.497 as the "Ruben Watts Highway" and shall erect signs denoting this designation.

Section 2. The Transportation Cabinet shall, within 30 days of the effective date of this Resolution, erect signs that read "Ruben Watts Highway" at the appropriate intervals in the locations specified in Section 1 of this Resolution.

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