[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 89 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA'S SESQUICENTENNIAL

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                         HON. DAVID B. McKINLEY

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 2013

  Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th 
birthday of West Virginia's statehood. As a seventh generation West 
Virginian, I am proud of the special history of the Mountain State.
  On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state in the country. 
While the Civil War divided the nation, few states faced more internal 
strife because of the conflict than Virginia. Bitter relations between 
eastern and western Virginians had been growing for years before the 
Civil War as people living in both regions were divided geographically, 
culturally, economically and politically. After Virginia voted to 
secede from the Union on April 17, 1861, people living in western 
Virginia pushed for the creation of a new state by formally petitioning 
President Abraham Lincoln for statehood.
  A public referendum on the issue of statehood passed on October 24, 
1861, and a constitutional convention held in my hometown of Wheeling 
in February 1862 produced a constitution that was intensely debated, 
with one controversial issue being the emancipation of slaves. The 
first draft of the new state constitution was not well received by the 
U.S. Senate because it contained no emancipation clause, so the Willey 
Amendment, which called for the gradual emancipation of slaves, was 
added. It apparently worked. The measure passed by a vote of 23 to 17. 
After another contentious debate, the measure passed the House on 
December 10, 1862, by a vote of 96 to 55.
  In late December 1862, President Lincoln turned to his Cabinet for 
advice on whether the legislation that would create the state of West 
Virginia was constitutional. He received contradictory opinions, and no 
consensus. Lincoln agonized over his decision and weighed arguments 
from both sides before announcing his decision. On New Year's Eve 1862 
he signed the bill that gave birth to West Virginia.
  It was a controversial decision that scholars continue to debate to 
this day, mainly because the petition for statehood was approved by the 
government representing the territory that would become West Virginia 
and not the territory that would remain Virginia. Lincoln recognized 
the questionable nature of the state's creation, noting that ``a 
measure made expedient by a war, is no precedent for times of peace.'' 
But he said he signed the bill because he could not afford to lose the 
support of loyal West Virginians.
  ``Her brave and good men regard her admission into the Union as a 
matter of life and death,'' the president said in his written opinion. 
``They have been true to the Union under very severe trials.
  ``We have so acted as to justify their hopes; and we cannot fully 
retain their confidence, and cooperation, if we seem to break faith 
with them.''
  After the Civil War, the new state experienced an era of 
unprecedented industrial development with burgeoning industries based 
on its rich natural resources--coal, oil, natural gas and timber--along 
with the construction of hundreds of miles of new railroads that helped 
to open up the Mountain State to trade with the world. By the turn of 
the century, West Virginia had grown to become a significant 
contributor to the nation's industrialization and expansion.
  While the state remains a leader in energy, it also is a global 
supplier of chemicals and a national hub for biotech industries. Its 
diverse economy now includes aerospace, automotive, healthcare and 
education, metals and steels, media and telecommunications, 
manufacturing, hospitality, biometrics, forestry, and tourism.
  West Virginia also is a great place for outdoor recreation with 32 
state parks, Alpine and Nordic ski areas, whitewater rafting, and other 
attractions, such as The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs and 
the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Glen Jean. The 
state's beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers, low crime rate, and 
other lifestyle factors continue to draw tourists and retirees alike.
  From its difficult beginnings until today, West Virginians have 
remained ``true to the Union,'' as Lincoln said. More than 500,000 West 
Virginians have answered the call of duty since the Revolutionary War. 
More than 10,000 West Virginians have given their lives in combat, and 
the state, though only 1.8 million strong, leads the country in the 
number of military veterans per capita.
  As the only state born of the Civil War and the only state formed by 
presidential decree, West Virginia proudly celebrates its 
sesquicentennial.

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