[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
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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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