SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8

(By Senators Bowman, Minard, Love, Dempsey, Rowe, Unger, Ross, Sharpe and White)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance continue study of the current methods of approving and managing renovation and restoration projects for areas of the state capitol complex that are of great value and historical significance to the citizenry of West Virginia and to further study the need to locate, protect and restore furnishings and architectural aspects of the state capitol building.

Whereas, The capitol building is a representation of the history, culture and pride of the State of West Virginia and of its citizenry; and

Whereas, The furnishings originally prescribed by architect Cass Gilbert, which once adorned the state capitol building, have been mistreated, lost or otherwise disposed of; and

Whereas, Historically and culturally related original architectural aspects of the capitol building have been destroyed or hidden beneath years of poorly coordinated renovations and repairs; and

Whereas, The protective regulatory power of the Capitol Building Commission has been ignored or bypassed in order to secure short-term solutions for problems; and

Whereas, There is a need to ensure that the protective mandates of the Capitol Building Commission are followed in order to guarantee that future generations of West Virginians are allowed to enjoy the cultural heritage represented in the state capitol building; and

Whereas, The Legislature has studied this topic during the 2002-2003 interim session and has recommended that this subject receive further study during the 2003-2004 interim period; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to continue to review, examine and study the current methods of approving and managing renovation and restoration projects for areas of the state capitol complex that are of great value and historical significance to the citizenry of West Virginia and to further study the need to locate, protect and restore furnishings and architectural aspects of the state capitol building; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.