SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 18
(By Senators McKenzie, Bowman, Edgell, Kessler, McCabe, Oliverio,
Sprouse and Ross)
Recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Wheeling Suspension
Bridge.
Whereas, In 1849, the citizens of Wheeling, Virginia,
accomplished a tremendous feat. They engaged the creativity of
engineer and bridge builder Charles Ellet, Jr., to build the
longest bridge of that era and the first bridge over the Ohio
River; and
Whereas, In November of 1849, the Wheeling Suspension Bridge,
1,010 feet in length, was opened with much celebration and
pageantry. Thousands of lights illuminated the bridge, bands
played and the sound of cannon fire echoed through the hills. This
modern accomplishment in transportation technology spurred not only
the growth of Wheeling, but the westward expansion of the United
States; and
Whereas, The Wheeling Suspension Bridge stands as a testament
to American ingenuity and strength with its imposing hand-cut stone
towers, graceful cables and distinctive suspenders; and
Whereas, Just as the community pulled together to build the
bridge 150 years ago, Wheeling is working with the State of West
Virginia and the federal government to renovate the bridge. Due to the efforts of United States Senator Robert C. Byrd and the State
of West Virginia, Wheeling is undertaking a major riverfront
redevelopment called Heritage Port; and
Whereas, In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Suspension
Bridge, Wheeling will hold a grand celebration on November 7, 1999,
to formally open and relight the bridge as they did in 1849;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the 150th anniversary of the
Wheeling Suspension Bridge; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby recognizes, with
pride, the long history and engineering accomplishments on the
construction of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which was a
technological wonder of its time; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the appropriate officials of the city
of Wheeling.