H. R. 11--"Recognizing the Division of Natural Resources Law
Enforcement Section on the occasion of one hundred years of service
to the State."
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that the Division of
Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section is an integral part of
the comprehensive conservation, management and protection of the
abundant natural resources that have been placed in the division's
stewardship; and
Whereas, The Legislature is cognizant of the fact that the
first fish and game protector was appointed by Governor William A.
McCorkle in February, one thousand eight hundred ninety-seven; and
Whereas, The Legislature wishes to acknowledge that the first
fish and game protector, Captain E. F. Smith, of Hinton, Summers
County, began a tradition that has evolved into today's
conservation officer; and
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that one hundred eighteen
uniformed conservation officers serve in each of the state's fifty- five counties and comprise the nucleus of the oldest statewide law
enforcement agency in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The Legislature has directed that conservation
officers be trained, equipped and conditioned for duty and services
wherever and whenever required; and
Whereas, The Legislature wishes to recognize and acknowledge
the fact that two of the division's officers paid the ultimate
price for protecting our natural resources when they lost their lives in the line of duty; and
Whereas, The Legislature wishes to express its belated
condolences to the family of the late fish and game protector Fred
Hobart, of Richwood, Nicholas County, who lost his life on December
21, 1940, at the hands of a game law violator; and
Whereas, The Legislature further wishes to express its belated
condolences to the family of the late conservation officer Wesley
C. Frame, Jr., of Braxton County, who lost his life on November 10,
1978, while stationed in Monroe County, at the hands of a violator
of the highway littering law; and
Whereas, West Virginia's conservation officers are dedicated to
the preservation of a natural heritage that is important for future
generations to enjoy and appreciate; and
Whereas, West Virginia's conservation officers are
indispensable to the continuation of our heritage of hunting and
fishing to be enjoyed well into the future; and
Whereas, It is the role of conservation officers to guide the
citizenry in the wise use of our natural and wildlife resources;
and
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that today's conservation
officer is directly involved in many educational activities such as
the Hunter Education and Boating Safety Education Programs, Get
Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs, and numerous other community-
related activities; and
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that conservation officers dedicate a portion of their time and efforts to activities such as
search, rescue, timely response to manmade and natural disasters
and numerous other general law-enforcement activities that benefit
the citizens of our State that do not hunt and fish; therefore
Be it Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the members of this body acknowledge our support of the
Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section and wish to
join our conservation officers in the celebration of their
centennial year; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is
hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the
Honorable Cecil H. Underwood, Governor of the State of West
Virginia, and Colonel James D. Fields, Chief, Division of Natural
Resources Law Enforcement Section, and that they be encouraged to
make this information known to all West Virginia conservation
officers, past and present.