SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5

(By Senators Foster, Palumbo, McCabe, Wells, Edgell, Klempa, Kessler (Mr. President), Unger, Laird, Miller, Jenkins, Beach and Stollings)

    Recognizing the statewide contributions of the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia on January 17, 2012.Whereas, The Clay Center opened its doors on July 13, 2003, as one of only three venues in the country to combine science, visual and performing arts in one facility; and

Whereas, The Clay Center’s Avampato Discovery Museum is West Virginia’s only interactive science museum; and

Whereas, The Clay Center’s Juliet Museum of Art is one of just four public museums in West Virginia with a permanent art collection; and

Whereas, More than fifty thousand students from fifty West Virginia counties and twenty-one counties in surrounding states have benefitted from the Clay Center’s science and art programs; and

Whereas, More than six hundred fifty West Virginia students have received free instruments and music lessons through the Clay Community Arts program; and

Whereas, Through physical outreach presentations and virtual distance learning programs, close to three thousand students from across the state have visited the Clay Center without ever leaving the classroom; and

Whereas, More than 1.3 million people from forty-nine states have visited the Clay Center since its opening; and

Whereas, Clay Center activities add approximately $16.4 million to West Virginia’s economy each year; and

Whereas, Close to four hundred jobs are generated by the Clay Center; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby honors the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia on January 17, 2012; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate invites all members of the West Virginia Legislature and all citizens of West Virginia to join in recognizing the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia and its contributions to our state; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia.