SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10
(By Senators Yoder, Barnes and Unger)
Requesting the State of West Virginia and the federal government
recognize the counties of Berkeley and Jefferson as part of
the historic Shenandoah Valley.
Whereas, The Shenandoah Valley begins at the Potomac River in
the State of West Virginia and continues southwestward to the city
of Roanoke in the State of Virginia, and is flanked by the Blue
Ridge Mountains to the east and by the Allegheny Mountains to the
west; and
Whereas, The Potomac River forms the northern boundary for the
counties of Berkeley and Jefferson in the State of West Virginia
and the Blue Ridge Mountains are in eastern Jefferson County and
the Allegheny Mountains are in western Berkeley County. The
Shenandoah River flows northward and empties into the Potomac River
at Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County; and
Whereas,
The State of West Virginia was originally part of the
Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. The counties of
Berkeley and Jefferson were not officially annexed by the State of
West Virginia until 1872 upon the ruling of the United States
Supreme Court; and
Whereas, In 1996, the United States Congress established the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and Commission in the State of Virginia and did not include the
counties of Berkeley and Jefferson in the State of West Virginia;
and
Whereas, Harpers Ferry,
Jefferson County, is recognized as a
historical area and the events which transpired there enriched our
country's heritage; and
Whereas, The city of Martinsburg, Berkeley
County,
is
recognized as a historical area and
has many historical buildings,
including the Roundhouse.
Boydville, Berkeley
County, is a
historic farm that deserves national recognition; and
Whereas, The counties of Berkeley and Jefferson in the State
of West Virginia should be eligible to become part of the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and
Commission and be eligible for any other federal programs that are
available for the Shenandoah Valley; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the State of West
Virginia and the federal government recognize the counties of
Berkeley and Jefferson as part of the historic Shenandoah Valley;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of
the United States, West Virginia's congressional delegation, the Governor of the State of West Virginia, the county commissions of
Berkeley and Jefferson counties and the mayors and city councils of
Bolivar, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Hedgesville, Martinsburg,
Ranson and Shepherdstown.
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