HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12

(By Delegates Heckert, Criss, Zatezalo, Mallow, Crouse, Sheedy, Chiarelli, DeVault, Warner, Fehrenbacher, and W. Hall)

January 30, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure and then the Committee on Rules

Requesting that the Division of Highways place roadway welcome signs containing the phrase "West Virginia a Purple Heart State" on highways at the entrance to West Virginia.

Whereas, West Virginia was officially designated as a Purple Heart State by Senate Current Resolution No. 65 in 2013; and

Whereas, As was recognized in SCR 65: "General George Washington, as the leader of the Continental Army, first introduced the Badge of Military Merit in 1782, instructing that it be awarded "not only [in] instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential services in any way". General Washington went on to describe the figure of a heart in purple cloth, and it eventually became known as the Purple Heart, and is the nation’s oldest military award" and " While the badge was not awarded for some years after the Revolutionary War, and only intermittently during the late 1920s, on February 22, 1932, the two hundredth anniversary of George Washington’s birth, General Douglas MacArthur announced the reestablishment of the Purple Heart Medal, in memory and honor of George Washington’s military achievements"; and

Whereas, "Veterans of West Virginia have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm’s way for the good of all"; and

Whereas, "The people of the State of West Virginia have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this state in the armed forces, and recognize that each made sacrifices to do so" and " It is a privilege to honor those whose service and sacrifice was recognized with the awarding of a Purple Heart Medal"; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature supports placing the phrase "West Virginia a Purple Heart State" on West Virginia's roadway welcome signs; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed on West Virginia's roadway welcome signs identifying West Virginia as a Purple Heart State.