[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9462]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           WEST VIRGINIA DAY

  (Mr. McKINLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McKINLEY. Madam Speaker, the State of West Virginia is 
celebrating its 149th birthday today. Celebrations are being held as we 
speak throughout the State. I'm a proud seventh-generation West 
Virginian and honored to serve the State that I love.
  Being a West Virginian comes with great honor, tradition, and pride. 
In concert with the restored State of Virginia, President Lincoln, on 
April 20, 1863, proclaimed that West Virginia would be admitted to the 
United States as a separate State. Sixty-one days later, on June 20, 
1863, West Virginia became a member of the Union, the only State 
created during the War Between the States.
  Every year, millions of people travel the country roads of our great 
State and view the beautiful scenic mountains, from the Shenandoah 
River to everything in between. Madam Speaker, I hope everyone enjoys 
this time-honored tradition of West Virginia Day and celebrates our 
wild and wonderful State.
  Happy birthday, West Virginia.

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