[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNITION OF THE 145TH BIRTHDAY OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

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                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 145th 
birthday of my home State, West Virginia.
  The most violent conflict in the history of our Nation, the Civil 
War, gave America a new definition of freedom, strengthened the role of 
the Federal Government, and ultimately reconciled our fractured Union. 
For West Virginians, the 1861-1865 conflict remains significant for 
another reason: Virginia was rendered in two, east and west, and a new 
State, West Virginia, was born.
  This June 20th marks the 145th birthday of the State of West 
Virginia. I ask all West Virginians--the hardest working, most 
hospitable, and most patriotic people in the United States--to join me 
in celebrating how far our State has come.
  West Virginians have long known their uniqueness and celebrated it. 
As the only State to be formed by seceding from its parent State, West 
Virginia blazed a trail of independence of mind and spirit in a country 
that was tearing itself apart. West Virginia is the only State to 
achieve Statehood by the proclamation of a President on the provision 
that West Virginia would support the gradual abolishment of slavery in 
its newly formed constitution. On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became 
the 35th State.
  On this West Virginia Day, I reflect upon the treasures of our 
State--truly one of the most beautiful in the Nation. With its majestic 
mountains, rolling hills, awesome gorges and rivers, picturesque towns, 
hospitable people, and a ``wild and wonderful'' atmosphere, I thank God 
for the opportunity to call it home.
  Many historic figures have lived and traveled through the Mountain 
State on their way to shaping the course of our Nation's history. 
Daniel Boone settled and lived in present day Kanawha County. Stonewall 
Jackson, the stalwart Civil War general, was born in Clarksburg and 
Pearl S. Buck--Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winning author was born 
in Hillsboro, Pocahontas County.
  Many modern-day heroes and stars also hail from the hills of West 
Virginia. Jennifer Garner, who received a Golden Globe for her 
performances on ABC's hit television drama ``Alias,'' is a Charleston 
native. Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier and has used his 
influence to promote scholarship and development opportunities for the 
State, was born in Myra. The mining town of Coalwood, in McDowell 
County is now world-renown as the home of Homer Hickam, best-selling 
author of Rocket Boys, upon which the award-winning 1999 motion picture 
``October Sky'' was based.
  In addition to celebrities, both historical and modern, West 
Virginia's elected leaders have brought vision and opportunity to our 
State. Most notable, Senator Robert C. Byrd, the ``Big Daddy'' of West 
Virginia politics, is the longest serving Senator in history and has 
secured billions of dollars for the future of our State. He remains a 
force to be reckoned with in the Senate with his longevity and 
leadership.
  Home to an abundance of natural resources, West Virginia has helped 
feed and power our Nation. West Virginia's ``Coal Keeps the Lights 
On.'' Our agricultural industry provides dairy, poultry, and feed crops 
for our State and beyond. The lumber industry makes use of the 
bountiful forests that cover 75 percent of our beautiful terrain.
  Lastly the greatest gift and most precious resource our State has 
nurtured are West Virginians themselves--honest, hard-working people 
who are very the lifeblood of our State. Today West Virginians thank 
the Lord for our bountiful blessings, bound together in loyalty and 
love for our State as we remind ourselves that, yes--John Denver was 
right, West Virginia is truly almost Heaven.
  Happy Birthday West Virginia.

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