[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13695-13696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           WEST VIRGINIA DAY

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I ask that we take a moment 
today to recognize the State of West Virginia. One hundred thirty-six 
years ago, on June 20, 1863, West Virginia assumed its proud position 
as the 35th State of the Union. Since that time West Virginia's natural 
resources and its citizens have and will continue to play a positive 
role in our Nation.
  The phrases: ``the mountain state,'' ``wild, wonderful,'' and ``a 
welcome change'' are always reminders of West Virginia. Indeed, there 
are countless rolling hills dotted with horses, cows, sheep and their 
young. The State is home to memorable valleys, known for

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their rushing streams and rivers filled with bass and trout. Then there 
are the beautiful colors throughout the fall and spring that bedeck our 
glorious mountains, attracting tourists from across the globe.
  West Virginia is a combination of rural farming communities, coal 
towns, resorts, and growing cities. It is unquestionably a State in 
which there is a place for everyone. I believe it is this diversity 
that attracts many to the State and causes numerous children raised in 
West Virginia to remain and invest in the State as adults.
  West Virginians are proud of their State. As we stand at the dawn of 
the 21st century symbols of West Virginia pride and achievement can be 
heard, read, seen, and touched throughout the world via locally 
produced music, literature, works of art, and crafts. West Virginians 
are also proud of their people. Almost two centuries, ago, the State 
was known as the fighting place of the Hatfields and McCoys. Since that 
time, West Virginia has been the home of such remarkable people as, 
educator Booker T. Washington, pilot Charles ``Chuck'' Yeager, gymnast 
Mary Lou Retton, authors Pearl S. Buck, John Knowles, and Denise 
Giardina, singer and song writer Kathy Mattea, artists Barrie Kaufman, 
and Susan Poffenbarger, former astronaut Jon A. McBride, scholar Henry 
Louis Gates, countless athletes, and numerous others.
  Today we have the opportunity to honor 136 years of statehood. I ask 
that we celebrate the people of West Virginia, that we honor the 
courage of their endeavors and achievements. I ask that we take 
strength from the majesty of the mountains as do the constituents of 
West Virginia, and finally that we, as members of this distinguished 
body, remember the broader message of freedom recognized by West 
Virginia's logo: Montani Semper Liberi, Mountaineers are Always Free. I 
am proud of this State and its people and am honored to represent 
them.

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