[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10377-S10378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA RENAISSANCE

  Mr. BYRD. Madam President, there is a renaissance occurring in West 
Virginia's Northern Panhandle. In the city of Wheeling, through the 
Wheeling National Heritage Area initiative, local leaders are 
revitalizing areas of cultural and historic significance in order to 
create a brighter future for their community.
  On August 15, I had the opportunity to attend the dedication of the 
latest milestone in these revitalization efforts--the Wheeling Heritage 
Port, which is nestled on a bank of the magnificent Ohio River. 
Wheeling, the Mountain State's first capital, is not only rich in 
natural resources, but also in history.
  In its beginnings, Wheeling was a small outpost that represented the 
westernmost point of eastern settlement in a young country. Because of 
its location, Wheeling became the window of the West and a gateway to 
the unknown. Travelers flocked to this new epicenter of commerce and 
transportation in pursuit of fortune and adventure. After the Civil 
War, Wheeling, and much of the Northern Panhandle, experienced a 
postwar industrial expansion that brought to the area great prosperity 
that would last well into the 20th century. A booming economy, combined 
with a natural beauty and a genteel society, ushered in an era of 
Victorian splendor.
  However, as market demands changed, Wheeling--along with most 
industrial regions throughout this nation and across West Virginia--
repositioned itself, transitioning from an industrial base to a more 
diverse, high-tech economy. While it has focused on economic 
development, the city also has kept an eye on preserving its rich 
cultural and historic areas.
  I have supported Wheeling's efforts to redevelop its historic 
downtown by winning congressional approval for legislation that 
established the Wheeling National Heritage Area. The mission of a 
heritage area is to preserve the lessons of history for future 
generations so that they can better lead tomorrow. The Wheeling Port is 
just one of the many components of the heritage area, which includes 
the Wheeling Visitors Center and the Artisan Center. I am very 
fortunate to have had the opportunity to assist the city of Wheeling in 
these initiatives, but the man who first exhibited the vision for 
renewal of this city was my friend, the late Harry Hamm.
  It was Harry, more than anyone, who recognized that Wheeling, like 
other industrial regions in America, would need to transform its 
economy. In his own words, Harry said that Wheeling would have to 
``take the old, idle, and abandoned factories . . . and create in them 
. . . a public place where people can feel at home. . . .'' In an 
effort to accomplish this task, Harry laid out a plan that would 
promote the city's heritage and, once again, establish it as a national 
center of commerce and trade. Harry envisioned Wheeling as a hub of 
high-technology and as a new port of entry to the heartland of our 
country.
  For those of us who knew Harry, we know that he was not an 
unrealistic dreamer, but that he was a man who worked hard and 
tirelessly to propel Wheeling toward a brighter future. It was his 
foresight and leadership that brought about the establishment of the 
Wheeling National Heritage Area. Although Harry passed away several 
years ago, if you ever have the opportunity to travel to Wheeling, you 
will undoubtably see the imprint that he left on this wonderful city.
  Among Harry's ideas for revitalizing the downtown area of Wheeling 
was the resurrection of the vibrant heart of the city--the waterfront. 
The port once served as a main destination point for steamboats 
traveling down the Ohio River. Now, with its restoration complete, the 
port will recreate the bustle of the steamboat port that it once was. 
It will serve as a civic ``open space''--a community meeting place 
enlivened by festivals and concerts.
  The port's restoration is another step to ensure that Wheeling's 
legacy to America is preserved for generations to come. The community's 
efforts to embrace its cultural and historic heritage, while also 
investing in its future, provide us with a glimpse into the ongoing 
restoration and redevelopment of our nation's industrial regions. The 
activities undertaken in Wheeling could serve as a blueprint for post-
industrial America and the communities in pursuit of a revitalized 
economy. As the Wheeling of old served as a guidepost in America's 
westward expansion, the new Wheeling can serve as a model for a 21st 
century economy and a 21st century community that has not forgotten its 
past.
  At the dedication of the port, Rabbi Ronald H. Bernstein-Goff of 
Temple Shalom and Dr. D.W. Cummings of Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, both 
of Wheeling, offered the invocation and the benediction, respectively. 
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have these prayers printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             Prayer by Rabbi Ronald H. Bernstein-Goff, D.D.

       Master of the universe--Creator of Earth and sky, fire and 
     water, and author of time, flowing like a great river, 
     carrying us down the days and years of our lives.
       We gather here today with gratitude for the rich history, 
     the vitality, and prosperity, which those who came before us 
     worked and labored to create, we were proud in the past, 
     because we were prosperous; we had dignity, because we were 
     successful; we had hope, because we seemed to be in control 
     of our destinies.
       It seems to us like yesterday, although the river has 
     carried us very far from that past. We acknowledge that it 
     has taken us too long to deal with the realities of decline 
     and decay; too long to deal with our feelings of guilt and 
     shame, as buildings were boarded up and the joyful noise of 
     life faded into uneasy silence; too long to face our fear of 
     change--our fear of the unknown. And just because we have had 
     faith in you, does not mean we had faith in ourselves or in 
     each other.
       Yet, you have taught us that out of suffering and struggle, 
     distress and despair, comes the capacity for renewal and 
     self-transformation.
       ``Out of the depths have I called you, O God''.--Psalm 
     130:1.
       ``Revive my spirit, lest I sleep the sleep of death.''--
     Psalms: 13:4:16.
       How can we thank You then, for giving us the wisdom and the 
     courage to stand before You this day, as we dedicate 
     ourselves to a new hopefulness and a new reality? How can we 
     thank You for bringing us beyond nostalgia to a waking vision 
     of the future; to a renewed sense of solidarity and purpose 
     in our community--our hopeful city; how can

[[Page S10378]]

     we thank You for the awareness that only by facing reality 
     can we change it; for reminding us that You fashioned us 
     beyond dust and ashes; that we can be little lower than the 
     angels after all.
       We thank You for the vision of our local leadership; of the 
     Wheeling National Heritage Corporation, and Mayor Nick 
     Sparachane.
       We are grateful for the presence of Congressman Alan B. 
     Mollohan who is with us this morning to help us dedicate 
     heritage port.
       We thank You for Senator Robert Byrd--his dedication, his 
     devotion, and his love for the people of West Virginia. 
     Because of his vision, drive and commitment, the people of 
     Wheeling have a new place of beauty to imagine a brighter 
     future.
       Bless us all, and the work of our hands. With pride in our 
     past, with hope for our future, with faith in You and faith 
     in each other do we gather this day to dedicate this heritage 
     port.
       Amen.
                                  ____


              The Benediction Prayer, By Dr. D.W. Cummings

       Dear Father, O Father, Father of us all. Red, Yellow, Black 
     and White, we are precious in your sight. Thank you for the 
     dedication of Wheeling Heritage Port. Thank you for our local 
     leadership. The may of Wheeling, the councilmen of Wheeling, 
     the Wheeling Heritage Port Board, Representative Mollohan, 
     Senator Robert C. Byrd and all who made this dream come true.
       Thank you for the memory of Harry Ham. Thank you for the 
     knowledge that one of the main reasons why Wheeling is not 
     the Capital of the state of West Virginia is because of a 
     clown.
       Lord, we know that is not the end of a Hopeful City, and 
     neither is it the beginning. But Lord, let it be the end of 
     the beginning. Help us to move to the next level of making 
     Wheeling and the Ohio Valley a more hopeful area, and a more 
     hopeful city for all its residents.
       Gracious Lord, help us to always remember that 
     ``Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to 
     any people.'' In Jesus name Amen.

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