COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21
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[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization;
reported February 8, 2007.]
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Requesting the Division of Tourism commission an online survey
and/or poll of state residents to determine the preference of
West Virginians for the slogan appearing on highway signs over
our state borders.
Whereas, In 2006, new official signs were erected on highway
borders across our great state with the message: "Welcome to West
Virginia: Open for Business"; and
Whereas, The message was designed to reinforce the progressive
changes taking place in West Virginia, to symbolize that the State
of West Virginia is currently altering the management of government
affairs and to remind those crossing our borders that West
Virginia's location and proximity to 60 percent of the population
of the United States is conducive to conduct business, enjoy a
vacation and raise a family; and
Whereas, Prior to 1990, many of the highway signs contained the slogan "West Virginia - Wild and Wonderful"; and
Whereas, Some West Virginians have debated whether the current
welcoming message should be replaced with the prior slogan "West
Virginia - Wild and Wonderful"; and
Whereas, Providing a forum for public input on this issue
would afford West Virginians an opportunity to voice their
preference on the slogan; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Tourism
to commission an online survey and/or poll of state residents to
determine the preference of West Virginians for the slogan
appearing on highway signs over our state borders; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Tourism report to the
Governor on its findings, conclusions and recommendations no later
than December 31, 2008; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study and to prepare a report be paid from legislative
appropriations to the Division of Tourism; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Division of
Tourism.