HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 34
(By Delegates Doyle, Varner, Tabb, Wysong and Michael)
Urging the West Virginia Congressional Delegation to support
legislation calling for federal approval of extension of the
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Whereas, The Lewis and Clark Journey began in the mind of
President Thomas Jefferson; and
Whereas, The Lewis and Clark Expedition is about President
Thomas Jefferson's dream, the planning and preparation required for
an early 19th-century military expedition, and then finally about
the journey itself; and
Whereas, The journey was led by Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark, who were assisted by a variety of Americans, including the
country's native peoples; and
Whereas, The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation supports
recognition of a continuous trail across the country on the
National Park Service's official trail map and the right to post
the official trail signs - Two Captains Pointing the Way - which
are posted throughout the West; and
Whereas, Lewis undertook his first act as commander of the
"Corps of Discovery" by requisitioning rifles manufactured at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, from the federal armory in that town;
and
Whereas, Patrick Gass of Wellsburg, West Virginia, at 21 years
of age joined the army fighting the Indians and served at Bennett's
Fort in Wheeling. He was the first sergeant of the Corps of
Discovery and the member who outlived all others. Upon his return
from the expedition, he published the journal he kept of the trip.
The Gass edition of the Lewis and Clark Journals enjoyed several
printings within the United States as well as translations into
German and French, and printings in England; and
Whereas, The extension of the Lewis and Clark National Historic
Trail from coast to coast would complete the story and expose a
broader base of Americans to the educational and cultural aspects
of the expedition; and
Whereas, The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation partners
with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and
the Forest Service in caring for the Lewis and Clark National
Historic Trail and also supports scholarships, educational efforts,
and research on the expedition; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia Legislature hereby urges the West
Virginia Congressional Delegation to support legislation calling
for federal approval of extension of the Lewis and Clark National
Historic Trail to the East to include additional sites, including Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, associated with the preparation or
return phase of the expedition; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to each member of the
West Virginia Congressional Delegation.