HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 27

(By Delegates Morgan, Anderson, Barill, Barker, Boggs, Brown, Butcher, D. Campbell, T. Campbell, Cann Caputo, Carmichael, Craig, Crosier, Doyle, Ellington, Ennis, Ferns, Ferro, Fleischauer, Fragale, Frazier, Givens, Guthrie, Hall Hamilton, Hatfield, Hunt, Iaquinta Jones, Kominar, Lawrence, Manypenny, Marshall, Martin, Michael, Miley, Moore, Moye, Pasdon, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, L. Phillips, R. Phillips, Pino, D. Poling. M. Poling, Poore, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Skaff, Smith, Staggers, Stowers, Sumner, Swartzmiller, Talbott, Varner, Walker, Wells, White and Williams)

Expressing the sense of the Legislature that designating the annual observance of September 17, Constitution Day, also be declared “Robert C. Byrd Remembrance Day” for the State of West Virginia in order to honor the lifetime of service given by Senator Byrd to the United States of America and the people of West Virginia.

    WHEREAS, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd was a native West Virginian and the longest serving United States Senator continuously elected by the people of West Virginia; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Byrd faithfully served the people of West Virginia in the United States Congress from 1953 until his death on June 28, 2010 at the age of 92; and

    WHEREAS, thanks to his generous spirit Senator Byrd started the Scholastic Recognition Award in 1969, which awards the valedictorian at each West Virginia public and private high school with a savings bond, and he was instrumental in delivering millions of dollars in federal aid to the state of West Virginia to build roads, schools and hospitals; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Byrd was elected to more leadership positions than any other Senator in history and at the time of his death he was the highest-ranking Senator in the majority party, known as the President pro tempore; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Byrd served as the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and a member of the Senate Budget, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration Committees and he cast more than 18,689 roll call votes, which is more votes than any other Senator in U.S. history and held a 97 percent attendance record in his more than 50 years in the Senate; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Byrd was instrumental in establishing the holiday Constitution Day and was well known for always carrying a copy of the United States Constitution in his pocket it is fitting to honor his memory on September 17; and

    WHEREAS, the State of West Virginia is thankful and proud of the numerous accomplishments and many years of dedicated service of Senator Robert C. Byrd a statesman, politician, avid fiddle player and true West Virginian therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That September 17 is hereby declared “Robert C. Byrd Remembrance Day” in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the children and grandchildren descendants of Robert C. Byrd; and, be it

    Further Resolved, that the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to each West Virginia Congressional Representative; and, be it

    Further Resolved, that the Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia with the request that the Governor issue a proclamation designating September 17 as “Robert C. Byrd Remembrance Day.”