SENATE RESOLUTION 46

By Senators Cole (Mr. President), Maynard, Stollings, Plymale and Miller

[Introduced February 23, 2016.]

Designating February 23, 2016, as Mercer County Day.

Whereas, Mercer County was established in 1837 from parts of Giles and Tazewell counties (Virginia) and named in honor of General Hugh Mercer of Revolutionary War fame; and

Whereas, Mercer County makes vital contributions to the economy of West Virginia, particularly in the areas of coal production; lumber manufacturing; tourism; hay and grain; dairy, livestock, and poultry; and

Whereas, Nestled in southern West Virginia, in the heart of Appalachia, Mercer County is filled with a rich history of coal mining and the unique culture that emerged; and

Whereas, The story of Mercer County can be told through the Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Center; Eastern Regional Coal Archives; Historic Bramwell; Historic Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park; Mercer County Agricultural Museum; Mercer County War Museum; Pocahontas Exhibition Mine & Museum; and Princeton Railroad Museum; and

Whereas, Mercer County is home to a vibrant and diverse arts community and was designated by the state of West Virginia as a Certified Arts Community; and

Whereas, Mercer County is home to two higher education institutions in Concord University and Bluefield State College; and

Whereas, Mercer County is home to two professional baseball team affiliates, the Bluefield Blue Jays and the Princeton Rays, both of whom compete in the Appalachian League; and

Whereas, Mercer County is home to Bob Denver, of Gilligan’s Island fame; Ken Kendrick, owner of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks; and Rod Thorn, a West Virginia University  and National Basketball Association legend; and

Whereas, On Mercer County Day, we pay tribute to the citizens of Mercer County, as we recognize their economic, cultural, historic and future contributions to the state of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates February 23, 2016, as Mercer County Day; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the vital and important contributions from the citizens of Mercer County to the great state of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of Mercer County.