HOUSE Concurrent RESOLUTION 32

(By Delegate Rowan)

[Introduced January 24, 2018; Referred to the Committee on Rules]

Making Apple Cider West Virginia's State Beverage.

Whereas, The Romney Middle School Eighth Grade in Romney has requested that the West Virginia Legislature adopt Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage; and

Whereas, The adoption of Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage would instill a sense of pride in the heritage of frontier self-reliance in that since the earliest settlements of the region, Apple Cider was made to preserve the rich nutrients of the apple for leaner times; and

Whereas, The adoption of Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage would accentuate the character of cider presses and cideries within West Virginia that are enjoying a renaissance as a feature of the agri-tourism portfolio of the region; and

Whereas, The adoption of Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage would reflect the support and commitment that West Virginia has toward supporting tourism and the craft industries of West Virginia; and

Whereas, The adoption of Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage would go far in enhancing the current and welcomed period of stability the fruit growing industry is enjoying; and

Whereas, West Virginia does not currently have a State beverage; and

Whereas, The adoption of Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage would reflect positively on the rural nature of our state and the many fairs and festivals that feature apple products; and

Whereas, The adoption of Apple Cider as West Virginia's State Beverage would honor an industry that has employed many and sustained families through the best of times and the worst of times in our country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That Apple Cider is of important historic and cultural significance to the State of West Virginia and its citizens; and

Further Resolved, As a show of respect to our heritage and a warm embrace of our ancestors, Apple Cider should be declared West Virginia's State Beverage; and

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward copies of this resolution to the Eighth Grade of Romney Middle School, Kent Leonhardt, Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Randall Reid-Smith, Commissioner of the Division of Culture and History.