[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           WEST VIRGINIA DAY

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today I rise to commemorate the 140th 
birthday of the great State of West Virginia. On this day, 140 years 
ago, West Virginia was born amidst the conflict of the Civil War.
  In 1964, I came to West Virginia as a VISTA worker and spent 2 years 
in Emmons, WV. Those 2 years changed my life and I decided to make West 
Virginia my home and make public service my career. Over the years, I 
have been proud to serve the people of West Virginia in various ways 
and I feel very privileged to represent West Virginia in the Senate.
  On West Virginia Day, I believe it is important to reflect upon our 
State's rich history, scenic beauty, and its hard-working, independent 
citizens who truly reflect our State motto, ``Mountaineers are always 
free.''
  West Virginia's scenic trails and winding roads make it one of the 
most beautiful States in the country. Its mountainous terrain, 
breathtaking scenery, and raging rivers make it perfect for hiking, 
skiing, biking, rafting, fishing, and many other types of recreation. 
West Virginia truly earns the travel slogan of ``wild and wonderful''.
  The small farms and growing industry of early West Virginia set it 
apart from the tobacco plantations of eastern Virginia. West Virginia 
was made up of large numbers of immigrants, along with rugged, hard-
working frontiersmen and women who instilled the values and ideals that 
West Virginians embody today.
  The people of West Virginia remain its greatest asset. West 
Virginians are industrious, ambitious, open, and fun-loving people. 
They value equality and liberty which tie them to both our State and 
country. West Virginians have been some of the most innovative and 
creative people, contributing to all aspects of American society and 
culture.
  After his family left Virginia and slavery for a better life west of 
the mountains, Booker T. Washington was raised in Malden, Kanawha 
County, WV, and began working in the salt furnaces at the age of seven. 
He rose up from slavery and illiteracy to become the foremost educator 
and leader of Black Americans at the turn of the 20th century. He 
founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, later known as 
Tuskegee University.
  Jerry West was born in Cabin Creek, WV and attended West Virginia 
University, where he was a two time All-American basketball player. 
After he won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team in Rome in 1960, he 
moved west to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. He excelled throughout 
his playing career, gaining a reputation as a perfectionist. He helped 
the Lakers win a championship in 1972 and was elected to the Basketball 
Hall of Fame in 1979.
  Col. Ruby Bradley, a native of Spencer, WV, was the most highly 
decorated woman ever to serve in the U.S. military. Her military record 
included 34 medals and citations of bravery, including two Legion of 
Merit medals, two Bronze stars, two Presidential Emblems, the World War 
II victory medal, and the U.N. Service Medal. She was also the 
recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest distinction 
given by the International Red Cross. She was a U.S. Army nurse and a 
POW for 2 years in the Philippines and was known as the ``Angel in 
Fatigues'' at Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. On July 2, 2002, 
she was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
  These three West Virginians are but a few representative examples of 
the kind of talented, successful, courageous, and independent people in 
our great State. Their lives and stories provide a glimpse into the 
spirit of our State, and they also serve as an inspiration to the young 
people in our State today.
  The natural beauty, the people of West Virginia, and their countless 
achievements should be celebrated and remembered every day. As we 
strive to promote our economic growth, I hope we will also be mindful 
of our responsibilities to preserve what makes our state so special, 
the values and character of its people.
  I hope all Americans have the opportunity to experience some of West 
Virginia's beautiful vistas and to meet the wonderful people I have 
come to know and love throughout my service to West Virginia.
  I am proud to represent my home State of West Virginia and am honored 
to be able to recognize the 140th anniversary of the Mountain State.

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