HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Delegates Hrutkay, Stephens, Romine and Schadler)
Designating Tuesday, January 16, 2007, as "West Virginia
Transportation Day."
Whereas, West Virginia's Transportation System empowers us to
live productive lives, keeps our economy growing and strengthens
the security of our State; and
Whereas, Preserving and enhancing our transportation resources
makes our infrastructure safer, promotes growth in business and
industry, works to protect our nation, and improves the quality of
life for our citizens; and
Whereas, According to The Status of Women In West Virginia
developed by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, as of two
thousand two, a majority, fifty-eight percent of West Virginia's
rural residents live in an area not served by any public
transportation, while twenty-three percent have below average
access to transportation services; and
Whereas, On the ninth day of December, two thousand five, the
Association of Universities of Disabilities recommended Resolution
twenty-two to White House Committee on Aging to "Ensure that older
Americans have transportation options to retain their mobility and independence"; and
Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to equal
opportunity to live full productive lives in the community of their
choice and to receive the supports they need to achieve
independence; and
Whereas, It has been determined that the delivery of social
services to women including access to appropriate transportation is
necessary to improve the quality of life for women in West
Virginia; and
Whereas, The
care of elderly relatives in West Virginia falls
almost entirely on women, who must overcome the lack of
transportation to health care facilities, nutrition sites,
educational programs and
wellness
centered activities in senior
centers; and
Whereas, West Virginia is a very rural state with many of its
women, elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities
living
in
areas that are not served by mass transit; and
Whereas, Transportation is an integral part of a person's
ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle; and
Whereas, It is the policy of the State to encourage and promote
the development of resources to ensure the effective care and
treatment of persons who are dependent upon the services of others
by reason of age, a physical or mental impairment; and
Whereas, The purpose of Transportation Day is to increase the awareness of legislators, administrators, policymakers and the
public, of the transportation issues that are important to the
elderly, people with disabilities, low-income, as well as the
general public; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates hereby designates, Tuesday,
January 16, 2007, as "West Virginia Transportation Day," and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates,
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor and the
Secretary of Transportation.