HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 8

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates Amores, Anderson, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Beane, Blair, Boggs, Border, Brown, Browning, Butcher, Calvert, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo, Carmichael, Caruth, Craig, Crosier, DeLong, Doyle, Duke, Ellem, Ennis, Evans, Faircloth, Ferrell, Fleischauer, Foster, Fragale, Frederick, Frich, Hall, Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Houston, Howard, Hrutkay, Iaquinta, Kominar, Kuhn, Leggett, Long, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manuel, Martin, Mezzatesta, Michael, Morgan, Overington, Palumbo, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, Poling, Proudfoot, Renner, Romine, Schadler, Shoen, Shaver, Shelton, Smirl, Sobonya, Spencer, Stalnaker, Staton, Stemple, Sumner, Susman, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, R. Thompson, R. M. Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Varner, Wakim, Walters, Warner, Webb, Webster, G. White, H. White, Williams, Wright, Yeager and Yost )


[Introduced January 20, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Recognizing the heroic service of America's veterans and designating Monday, January 20, 2003, as "Veterans Visibility Day" at the House of Delegates.

W HEREAS , From the Revolutionary War to recent struggles, America's men and women have continued to rise beyond the call of duty in order to both preserve the freedom of the United States and to help maintain sovereignty throughout the world; and
W HEREAS , Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four veterans have served during a war or an official period of hostility - - about a quarter of the nation's population; and
W HEREAS , Per capita, more citizens from West Virginia have served in our nation's armed forces than from any other state in the union; and
W HEREAS , Through wars, conflicts and the threat of terror, thousands of West Virginians have paid the ultimate price for freedom with their lives with thousands more brave West Virginians being wounded in battle; and
W HEREAS , This legislative body is proud to honor and pay homage to those West Virginian veterans who have served, and those who are currently serving, in harms way to protect American democracy from the threat of terror; and
W HEREAS , This legislative body wishes to convey its gratitude and recognition to those brave West Virginians who have faced the opposition, been wounded and even given their lives in the name of freedom; and
W HEREAS , All veterans deserve our thanks and praise for their selfless sacrifices, service and dedication. The significance of what these men and women of the armed forces have provided to the citizens of this Nation should never be understated ; and
W HEREAS , This legislative body is proud to espouse the goal set for us by President John F. Kennedy who said, "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right; not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and around the world. God willing that goal will be achieved;" therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes the heroic service of America's veterans and designates Monday, January 20, 2003, as "Veterans Visibility Day" at the House of Delegates; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Division of Veterans Affairs.