SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 50
(By Senator Tomblin, Mr. President)
Recognizing the efforts of the Honorable Jennings Randolph on the
anniversary of the ratification of the twenty-sixth amendment
to the United States Constitution and declaring April 27,
2001, a student voter registration day.
Whereas, The Honorable Jennings Randolph, a former United
States Senator from West Virginia, had a belief in the ability of
America's youth to participate in our nation's electoral process;
and
Whereas, The Honorable Jennings Randolph believed that the
voting age of American citizens should be lowered from twenty-one
to eighteen years of age; and
Whereas, The Honorable Jennings Randolph first introduced the
proposed amendment to the United States Constitution lowering the
voting age to eighteen while a member of the United States House of
Representatives in 1942. He continued to reintroduce the proposed
amendment each year thereafter until 1971 when the twenty-sixth
amendment to the Constitution was ratified; and
Whereas, As a tribute to the belief in America's youth and in
recognition of the thirtieth anniversary of the ratification of the
twenty-sixth amendment to the Constitution, the Secretary of State will ask high schools throughout the state to recognize Friday,
April 27, 2001, as a day to honor the Honorable Jennings Randolph
by encouraging every high school student who will attain the age of
18 years on or before the November 5, 2002, general election to
register to vote; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby recognizes the tremendous belief,
perseverance and dedication of the Honorable Jennings Randolph in
his fight to lower the voting age in America to eighteen years of
age; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby recognizes April
28, 2001, as the thirtieth anniversary of the ratification of the
twenty-sixth amendment to the Constitution; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature commends the Secretary
of State for his observance of the anniversary of the amendment
ratification by organizing a statewide high school voter
registration program on April 27, 2001; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of
State.