HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 70

(By Delegates Armstead, Anderson, Andes, Argento, Ashley, Azinger, Barker, Beach, Blair, Boggs, Border, Browning, Burdiss, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo, Carmichael, Cowles, Crosier, DeLong, Doyle, Duke, Eldridge, Ellem, Ellis, Evans, Fragale, Frederick, Gall, Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Higgins, Hrutkay, Hutchins, Iaquinta, Ireland, Kessler, Klempa, Kominar, Lane, Long, Longstreth, Manchin, Marshall, Martin, Michael, Miley, C. Miller, J. Miller, Moye, Overington, Palumbo, Paxton, Perdue, Pethtel, D. Poling, M. Poling, Porter, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Romine, Rowan, Schadler, Schoen, Shaver, Shook, Sobonya, Spencer, Stalnaker, Stemple, Stephens, Sumner, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, Tucker, Webster, Wells, White, Williams, Wysong and Yost)




Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study proper and fitting activities to honor Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth.

Whereas, On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, and rose to the presidency through a legacy of honesty, integrity, intelligence and commitment to the United States; and
Whereas, Through a legacy of honesty, integrity, intelligence and commitment to the United States, Abraham Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States; and
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln was the nation's most beloved leader, demonstrating true courage during one of the greatest crisis in the history of this nation, the Civil War; and
Whereas, With the belief that all men are created equal, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in the United States; and
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln had a generous heart, with malice toward none and with charity for all; and
Whereas, On December 31, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln wrote, "I believe the admission of West Virginia into the Union is expedient;" and
Whereas, On January 20, 1863, the Statehood Bill for West Virginia was approved by President Abraham Lincoln; and
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln made the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved, dying from an assassin's bullet on April 15, 1865; and
Whereas, All West Virginians will benefit from studying the life of Abraham Lincoln, for his life was a model for leadership through honesty, integrity, loyalty and a lifetime of education; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study activities that may be carried out by the State of West Virginia as fitting and proper to honor Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report its findings regarding the activities that it considers most fitting and proper to honor Abraham Lincoln on such occasion and the state agency or agencies that it considers most appropriate to carry out such activities, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendation, on or before October 1, 2008; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.