SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 17
(By Senators Dittmar, Tomblin, Mr. President, Walker, Wooton,
Love, Helmick, Anderson, Fanning, Sharpe, Boley, Sprouse, Bowman,
Snyder, Prezioso, White, Macnaughtan, Hunter, Chafin, Dugan,
Bailey, Schoonover, Deem, Oliverio, Ross, Ball, McKenzie, Craigo,
Wiedebusch, Minear, Plymale, Buckalew, Scott, Jackson and Kimble)
Recognizing the one hundredth anniversary of the outstanding
service of conservation officers to the state of West
Virginia.
Whereas, The West Virginia 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 first fish and game protectors were appointed by
West Virginia's ninth governor, William MacCorkle, in 1897. Under
the leadership of the first fish and game protector, Captain E. F.
Smith of Hinton, West Virginia, the tradition has evolved into
today's conservation officer; and
Whereas, Today there are one hundred eighteen uniformed
conservation officers within the law-enforcement section of the
Division of Natural Resources, serving in all of the state's fifty- five counties. This is the oldest, statewide law-enforcement
agency in West Virginia. The conservation officer of today is trained, equipped and conditioned for duty and service wherever and
whenever required; and
Whereas, It should be acknowledged that two officers of the
law-enforcement section of the Division of Natural Resources have
paid the ultimate price for the protection of our natural resources
in West Virginia by giving their lives in the line of duty; and
Whereas, Accordingly, it is fitting to express our belated
condolences to the family of the late Fred Hobart of Nicholas
County, who lost his life on December 21, 1940, while in the
performance of his duty by the hands of a violator of the game laws
of West Virginia; and
Whereas, It is fitting to express our belated condolences to
the family of the late Wesley C. Frame, Jr., of Braxton County, who
lost his life on November 10, 1978, while in the performance of his
duties in Monroe County by the hands of a highway littering
violator; and
Whereas, West Virginia's conservation officers are dedicated
to the preservation of a 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 into our future; and
Whereas, It is the role of conservation officers to guide the
citizenry of our state in the wise use of our wildlife resources; and
Whereas, Conservation officers are directly involved in many
educational activities, such as hunter education, boating safety
education and numerous other community-related activities; and
Whereas, West Virginia's conservation officers dedicate a
portion of their time and effort to activitesactivities such as search and
rescue which benefit the citizens who do not utilize our natural
resources for fishing and hunting; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the outstanding dedication
and commitment of West Virginia's conservation officers of the
Division of Natural Resources and celebrates their dedicated
service on the one hundredth anniversary of their existence as the
protectors of our beloved natural resources; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, as we celebrate the one hundred years
of service of conservation officers in West Virginia, it is fitting
to recall the memories of Fred Hobart and Wesley Frame, Jr., who
have given their lives in the line of duty for the preservation of
our natural resources; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the governor of West Virginia; the
chief of the law-enforcement section of the Ddivision of Natural
Resources; and the families of Fred Hobart and Wesley Frame, Jr.