HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 76
(By Delegates Mezzatesta and Trump)
(Originating in the Committee on Rules)
[March 4, 2004]
Designating May 1, 2004, as "Hampshire County Day" in recognition
of the 250th anniversary of the founding of Hampshire County.
Whereas
, In May, 1754, Hampshire County was officially formed
and the first shots were fired that would begin the French and
Indian War; and
Whereas
, Hampshire County's importance as a gateway to the
developing west made it a target for the enemy attacks during the
war; and
Whereas
, It was because of this that Colonel George Washington,
Commander of the Virginia Regiment, built a chain of forts in
Hampshire County as the northern bulwark of his western line of
defense; and
Whereas
, Not even the ravages of war could stop the advance of
settlers into the fertile valleys of Hampshire County; and
Whereas
, The number of settlers continued to increase which led
to the establishment of Hardy County in 1786 and Pendleton County
and 1788; and
Whereas
, During the Civil War, Hampshire County was again
ravaged by war; and
Whereas
, Because of its strategic location, there were many
troop movements through Hampshire County and the city of Romney -
the county seat of Hampshire County which is said to have changed
hands 56 times during the Civil War; and
Whereas
, The Civil War left Hampshire County severely wounded
and its citizens nearly destitute but once again the people of
Hampshire County rebuilt their homes and communities and looked
forward to a bright future; and
Whereas
, This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding
of Hampshire County, West Virginia's oldest county; and
Whereas
, We should use this time to recall the heroic sacrifice
of the countless men and women who came to Hampshire County to make
a new life and to those who followed after them through times of
war and testing; and
Whereas
, The cost our forefathers paid to protect the treasure
of the quiet, fertile valleys and age-old forested mountains of
Hampshire County for future generations should not go unnoticed;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:
That May 1, 2004, shall be designated as "Hampshire County
Day" in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of
Hampshire County; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the Governor and members of the Hampshire County Commission.