[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   150 REASONS TO LOVE WEST VIRGINIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, we began the ``150 
Reasons to Love West Virginia'' project to honor our State's 150th 
birthday, which is tomorrow. We asked West Virginians to send us what 
they love about the Mountain State, and they delivered.
  Many people cited West Virginia's strong heritage and rich history as 
reasons to love our State. We all know that West Virginia is rooted in 
the values of hard work and the respect of our neighbors. I love how 
West Virginia friends are for a lifetime. My family's history is deeply 
rooted in the State of West Virginia, and I love that. I love the 
State's nicknames, ``Wild and Wonderful'' and ``Almost Heaven.''
  David J. Stoffel said:

       We are a collection of communities joined by a common 
     trust, respect, love, and willingness to help our neighbor. 
     Once you are a Mountaineer, you will always be a Mountaineer.

  Anita Keaton wrote that small, quaint towns throughout West Virginia 
like Thomas and Thurmond are the ``heart and soul of our great State.''
  It all began in June in 1861, when a group of pro-Union Virginians 
met in Wheeling, West Virginia. Together, they created the Restored 
Government of Virginia, which sought to rebuild ties with the Union. On 
April 20, West Virginia became the only State in the Union to acquire 
its sovereignty by proclamation of the President of the United States, 
and that President was Abraham Lincoln. And on June 20, 1863, 150 years 
ago tomorrow, we formally joined the Union.
  As a community flourishes, it gives birth to local myths and legends. 
We tell stories to our children so they can someday tell those stories 
to their children. West Virginia has its fair share of true stories and 
legends. We have Mothman, and we also have a tale of the Hatfield and 
McCoy feud, which is a story of family honor, justice, and vengeance. 
We have very well respected West Virginians who are here today with us: 
Chuck Yeager, Jerry West, Mary Lou Retton, Jessica Lynch, Jennifer 
Garner, and a gentleman who shares my hometown, a very small town of 
West Virginia, Glen Dale, Mr. Brad Paisley.
  ``Pioneer stories'' like the Hatfields and McCoys have been passed 
down from generation to generation, as noted by Deb Walizer. These 
legends bring the people of West Virginia together. They allow us to 
put aside our differences and share a common bond in our heritage.
  That strong-knit community is also built through events like the one 
I've attended many times--and one time with President Bush--the Fourth 
of July celebration parade in Ripley, West Virginia. As Tracy Wolford 
Kelley mentioned, she loves the parade in Ripley, Symphony Sundays or 
the Forest Festival or attending a Mountaineer football game on a crisp 
fall evening. All victory is welcome.
  West Virginia is not only rich in history, but it is rich in natural 
beauty. From ``trout fishing the Cranberry and Williams River,'' as Jo 
Belcher noted, or West Virginia's ``beautiful vistas of tree-covered 
mountain,'' as mentioned by Emmett Pepper of Charleston, there are many 
reasons to love and enjoy our State's scenic beauty. West Virginia is a 
peaceful place.
  These images and places make the changes in season particularly 
beautiful, which Robin Barnette says looks like ``God's coloring 
book.'' They also bring families and friends together, as Connie 
Sherman of Moorefield, West Virginia, mentioned talking about the 
Trough River.
  Whether it's simple things like West Virginia pepperoni rolls or the 
coal fields and natural gas that power our economy, there is so much to 
love about the State we call home. For 150 years, its country roads 
have provided the men and women who have traveled them with a sense of 
comfort and pride.
  And no matter where we are in the country or around the world, we all 
do like to sing the John Denver song ``Almost Heaven, West Virginia,'' 
which, by the way, my granddaughter can sing from front to back.
  While these anecdotes about why we love West Virginia only touch on 
what makes our State so great, I want to thank you and the folks of 
West Virginia for celebrating with me. There will be celebrations all 
throughout the State over the next several days.
  I love West Virginia, and I'm honored to serve the citizens of an 
outstanding State. So from me to you, happy 150th birthday, West 
Virginia.

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