SENATE RESOLUTION 44

(By Senators Unger, Trump, Williams, Prezioso, Sypolt, Plymale, Stollings and Laird)

[Introduced February 22, 2016.]

Recognizing the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office for 50 years of preserving and protecting the state’s legacy of historic resources for today and the future.  

Whereas, The United States Congress passed, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed, on October 15, 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act; and

Whereas, With heritage so rich, the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office was formed. For 50 years its efforts have led the state and its residents in recognizing our historic resources and investing in their rehabilitation and protection; and

Whereas, More than 900 individual resources and 157 historic districts represent West Virginia’s historic resources as listed in the National Register of Historic Places; and

Whereas, West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office programs help to infuse the state’s economy with federal and state historic preservation rehabilitation tax credits that have resulted in more than $133 million in construction projects and more than $26 million in tax credits; and

Whereas, Through $3.5 million in state matching grants, historic buildings, archaeological sites, structures and other historic resources have been successfully rehabilitated, stabilized and repaired; and 

 Whereas, Four million dollars in federally funded survey and planning grants have helped citizens promote and protect West Virginia’s historic resources; and

Whereas, Through the Certified Local Government program, 54 historic landmark commissions have participated in local community projects that identify, preserve and protect historic resources; and

Whereas, The West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office has consulted with federal and state agencies on approximately 54,000 infrastructure and development projects to help avoid adverse impacts to historic resources and helped preserve our history; and

Whereas, The West Virginia  State Historic Preservation Office has reached thousands of West Virginians with an educational program that includes the annual historic preservation calendar, workshops and training programs, youth programs and other public activities; and

Whereas, The West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office GIS website links documentation to individual locations and districts encompassing approximately 61,589 resources in West Virginia, providing an invaluable resource; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office for 50 years of preserving and protecting the state’s legacy of historic resources for today and the future; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.