SENATE RESOLUTION 70

(By Senators Cline, Roberts, Stollings, Unger, Plymale, and Lindsay)

[Introduced March 5, 2020]

Designating March 6, 2020, as McDowell County Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, What later became McDowell County was the location of the Sandy Creek Expedition of 1756, which was the first military alliance between the Cherokee and British that laid the groundwork for British victory in the French and Indian War; and

Whereas, McDowell County became known as the Free State, heralding the most diverse group of ethnicities in the state of West Virginia; and

Whereas, McDowell County was known as the nation’s Coal Bin, providing the raw materials for the growth of West Virginia and the United States as a whole; and

Whereas, McDowell County has consistently answered the call of military service, sending countless soldiers to defend our country; and

Whereas, McDowell County is the home of the first female African-American state legislator, Minnie Buckingham Harper; and

Whereas, McDowell County erected the first WW I Memorial in the nation; and

Whereas, McDowell County erected the first African-American WW I Memorial in the nation; and

Whereas, The first municipal parking building was erected and still maintained in McDowell County; and

Whereas, The proud people of McDowell County have rebuilt from devastating flooding; and

Whereas, McDowell County has embraced adventure tourism; and

Whereas, McDowell County has sought to and has successfully revitalized its culture, community, and economic outlook; and

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates March 6, 2020, as McDowell County Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the people of McDowell County for their contributions to the 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 from McDowell County.