SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 16

(By Senators D. Hall, Kessler, Stollings, Plymale, Palumbo, Laird and Williams)

Designating Wednesday, January 28, 2015, as “Generation West Virginia Day” and encouraging all citizens to join the Senate in this observance.

            Whereas, Generation West Virginia is the statewide movement committed to cultivating and engaging young talent, those 21 to 45 in age; and

            Whereas, The future of West Virginia relies heavily on the retention, recruitment and advancement of young talent to ensure that our intellectual capital base is strong for the future success of our state's economy, communities and intellectual infrastructure; and

            Whereas, In 2014, the U. S. Census Bureau reported that West Virginia was the only state in the nation that experienced a decline in population from 2010 to 2014; and

            Whereas, We are still losing too many of our energetic, entrepreneurial and driven West Virginians to neighboring states, presenting challenges for sustaining a stable tax base and attracting a viable workforce to advance present companies and recruit new ones, and draining future leadership in local communities and on the state level; and

            Whereas, This motivated and dynamic group of young talent within Generation West Virginia is tired of our state being known as a place that people have to leave in order to find opportunity and is dedicated to making our state a true destination for young talent; and

            Whereas, Generation West Virginia is an innovative, results-oriented and dedicated organization that represents young talent from all walks of life, careers and communities who are committed to a positive and strong present and future for our great state; and

            Whereas, Those 21 to 45 years of age in West Virginia include more than 600,000 of our state's population and represent our state's future base of workers, dreamers, innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, leaders and, most importantly, our hope for a successful future; and

            Whereas, These young leaders are not just the future of our state, but the rising leaders of today who are making it possible for West Virginia to compete successfully with the world; and

            Whereas, By working to make our state attractive for young talent, steps are being taken to encourage a “brain gain” for West Virginia that will build a strong future for our state to become a global leader; and

            Whereas, The Senate recognizes the importance of this growing movement and will listen and collaborate with its leadership and regional organizations to develop positive solutions and opportunities to create an abundance of prosperity in our state; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate:

            That the Senate hereby designates Wednesday, January 28, 2015, as “Generation West Virginia Day” and encourages all citizens to join the Senate in this observance; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the representatives of Generation West Virginia.