[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 9, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S610-S611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING HENRY C. ``HOPPY'' SHORES

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of a dedicated public servant, Army veteran, proud West 
Virginian, and my very good friend, Henry C. ``Hoppy'' Shores.
  Put simply, Hoppy embodied what it means to be a true West Virginian, 
and the legacy he has left behind is an important part of our heritage. 
I believe that there is no greater accomplishment than being in a 
position to give back to your community, and Hoppy's work in public 
service truly benefited our home State in a profound way that touched 
countless lives. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ``Since you 
get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of 
thought into the happiness that you are able to give.'' In that spirit, 
I am forever grateful to Hoppy for his commitment to his community and 
our shared passion for serving the people of West Virginia.
  Born in Dunbar in 1930 to the late Henry Eugene and Mary Elizabeth 
Shores, Hoppy spent much of his life in the Kanawha Valley. He excelled 
in athletics as a legendary running back for Stonewall Jackson High 
School. As the star of his 1947 State championship team, Hoppy capped 
off his high school career as a Kennedy Award winner. In addition, he 
held a longstanding record in the 440-yard dash and was elected class 
president his senior year. Even then, his leadership skills were widely 
recognized. Following his glowing high school career, Hoppy attended 
West Virginia University on the Loyalty Endowment Scholarship, where 
his wide range of accomplishments continued.
  Hoppy's life of service began in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the 
rank of major. I have always said that West Virginia is home to the 
most patriotic, hard-working people in the Nation; and Hoppy was no 
exception. Returning to Kanawha County after his military

[[Page S611]]

service to our Nation concluded, Hoppy continued giving back as a coach 
and supporter of one of the local Little League football teams. Hoppy 
was well-known as a tenacious supporter of youth sports in the Kanawha 
Valley and, for many years, would continue to support the youth of the 
valley in a variety of initiatives. Good coaches win games, but great 
coaches, like Hoppy, have a lasting impact on your life. They are 
models for how to manage success and failure--and how to take the 
lessons you have learned in athletics and apply them to your adult 
life. I can only begin to imagine how many leaders Hoppy forged 
throughout his time as a coach--and how many of his former athletes 
still look up to him to this day.
  Hoppy and his beloved wife Bronson, who shared his life for 68 years, 
raised their four children in Charleston. Despite his illustrious life 
filled with awards, accolades and achievements, Hoppy always considered 
his family his greatest accomplishment of all. He built a successful 
career in insurance; eventually, this career would culminate in the 
Hoppy Shores Insurance Company. His impeccable work ethic was well-
known, and all those he worked with considered him an honest, fair, and 
kind soul.
  As a successful businessman, family man, and youth sports supporter, 
Hoppy extended his civic engagement to elected positions. Hoppy 
dedicated 42 years to the Kanawha County Commission where he will be 
remembered for his staunch commitment to Yeager Airport and the Kanawha 
County Parks and Recreation board. He loved ``Hoppy's Little Express 
Train'' and his big smile atop the engine brought joy to each and every 
onlooker he rode past. As the longest serving Kanawha County 
commissioner in history, with an unmatched record of public service, 
the commission courtroom was named ``The Henry C. `Hoppy' Shores 
Courtroom'' in his honor. I believe this outstanding tribute is a 
testament to his dedication to the citizens of Kanawha County. In 
addition to his 42 years on the Kanawha County Commission, Hoppy added 
4 years of service in the West Virginia Legislature, where he will be 
remembered as a tenacious advocate for his neighbors in the Valley.
  Everything Hoppy stood for and represented lives on in the hearts and 
minds of all who had the privilege of knowing him, myself included. I 
was honored to call him a friend, and I know I join so many when I say 
West Virginia has lost a shining star. Hundreds of tributes have poured 
in about our friend Hoppy since his passing, but there is one tribute 
that I think best shows who he was. Soccer was an emerging sport in the 
State, and Kanawha County was deliberating building a major soccer 
complex. The idea was hitting resistance, and it became the subject of 
a county commission meeting. During the public meeting, a young girl 
made a presentation about the importance of soccer in her life. Some 
opponents of the project began heckling the brave young girl. It is 
reported that the lack of decorum and bullying displayed by those 
opponents angered Hoppy so much that he looked at fellow County 
Commissioners Kent Carper and Ben Salango and said, ``Let's just do 
it.'' And that is how the Shawnee Sports Complex came to be. I know 
that every time I visit Shawnee, I will think of Hoppy siding with that 
brave little girl and smile.
  So many people have inspirational stories about Hoppy. It is my hope 
that his many friends and family have found peace, strength, and 
support in one another and in the support of our entire home State for 
our shared loss of this wonderful person. He will be dearly missed by 
all who knew him.
  What is most important is that he lived a full life, surrounded by 
the people he loved most. Gayle and I offer our deepest condolences to 
Hoppy's wife of 68 years, Bronson; and their children, Henry, Sherry, 
Scott, and Lynn; his many friends; and extended family. We will forever 
keep Hoppy and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

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