SENATE RESOLUTION 39

(By Senators Lindsay, Jeffries, and Stollings)

[Introduced February 22, 2022]

Recognizing the Emergency Conservation Act that was signed into law on March 31,1933, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which during the next nine years would put to work more than 3 million young men enrolling into the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  

Whereas, President Roosevelt extended his personal congratulations for the CCC first accomplishment; the greatest peacetime mobilization of men in United States history; and 

Whereas, President Roosevelt believed the CCC would create the greatest conservation program in our country's history; and

Whereas, President Roosevelt further believed the CCC program would also prove to be of moral and spiritual value for the rest of the country; and

Whereas, President Roosevelt's beliefs were judged by history to be correct; and

 Whereas, Fifty-five thousand Junior Enrollees served in an average of 26 camps per year in West Virginia. Camp Kanawha, S-76 was occupied on April 8, 1938, by Company 2599, one of the last camps to close on June 30,1942; and

Whereas, West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph spoke on September 10, 1983, to CCC Alumni during their 15th Reunion, stating he believed the spirit and substance of the CCC lived on and their sacrifice and hard work served as a crowning contribution to our country; and

Whereas, Governor John D. Rockefeller IV proclaimed September 10, 1983, as a Day of Recognition (50th Anniversary) for the CCC and called upon all West Virginians to join him in honoring the program; and

Whereas, In 2022, through the collaborative efforts of WVDEP and the WVDNR, Davis Creek, whose headwaters begin in Kanawha State Forest and had been dammed for recreational purposes by the CCC since 1939, is now once again a free-flowing forest stream, providing more opportunities for those with physical challenges than before; and

Whereas, Kanawha State Forest Foundation (KSFF) volunteers and other volunteers played significant roles in the creation of historical kiosks associated with the Stream Restoration Program.  For the first time the public will be educated on the CCC story; and

 Whereas, KSFF continues to promote projects that provide visitors of every ability to get outside, be active and enjoy a variety of recreational activities, as recognized first in Senate Resolution 64, during the 2020 Session; and

Whereas, KSFF  volunteers, welcome other public and corporate volunteers to join us in assisting each and every State Government Department that will be initiating work on KSF's CCC Museum and memorial brick plaza surrounding our American flag, hopefully before the end of  this the 80th Anniversary of keeping the Legacy of the Civilian Conservation; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the Emergency Conservation Act that was signed into law March 31, 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, which during the next nine years would put to work more than 3 million young men enrolling into the Civilian Conservation Corps; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Kanawha State Forest Foundation.