HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 50
(By Delegate Trump)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of the possible commissioning of artists and placement
of statues of prominent West Virginians in the remaining
eleven empty niches of the Capitol and the possible
commissioning of artists and placement of eighteen paintings
depicting historical events and persons that have shaped this
state in the designated areas above the Rotunda niches, all in
conformity with the original plans for the Capitol by the
architect Cass Gilbert.
Whereas, The original plans for the Capitol building called for
the placement of statues in the twelve niches located around the
Capitol; and
Whereas,
The original plans of the State Capitol called for the
placing of paintings in the eighteen recessed areas above and
around the Rotunda niches; and
Whereas,
West Virginia's wonderful Capitol is and should always
be a place where the history of this State and its people is
recorded and memorialized for the benefit of all future generations
of West Virginians; and
Whereas,
There are West Virginians who have played prominent
roles in shaping the history of West Virginia and the United States
of America, for whom it would be proper and appropriate to erect
suitable statues; and
Whereas,
A statue of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd has been the
only statue placed in any of the dozen niches in the Capitol since
the beginning of construction of the main unit of the Capitol in
1930; and
Whereas,
West Virginia is home to many superbly talented
artists whose skills and abilities could be used in adding
appropriate statues and paintings to our marvelous Capitol; and
Whereas,
The State should seek to complete the original design
intentions of the Capitol by Cass Gilbert, including the placement
of appropriate statuary and paintings in the areas designed
specifically for those purposes; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is
requested to review, examine and study, seeking the assistance of
the Division of Culture and History, all materials available
dealing with the original Capitol plans, including correspondence
between Cass Gilbert and the Capitol Building Commission and other
relevant historical documents and to make recommendations to the
Legislature regarding its findings, including, but not limited to,
architectural intent, approximate costs for the commissioning of artists for the making of statues and paintings and a list of
prominent West Virginians and historical events that have shaped
this State and this Nation to be considered by the Legislature for
commissioning of suitable art for placement in the Capitol; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2001, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study and prepare a report be paid from legislative appropriation
to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.