HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 33

(By Delegates Overington, Blair, Doyle, Duke, Rowan,

Tabb, Trump and Wysong)


Requesting the State of West Virginia and the United States Federal Government fully recognize the counties of Berkeley and Jefferson in the State of West Virginia as part of the beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley.

Whereas, The State of West Virginia was originally part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863, and the counties of Berkeley and Jefferson were not officially annexed by West Virginia until 1872 upon the ruling of the United States Supreme Court; and
Whereas, The Shenandoah Valley begins at the Potomac River which forms the northern boundary along Berkeley and Jefferson counties and continues southwestward to the southern boundary near the city of Roanoke, Virginia. The valley is flanked to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains (in eastern Jefferson County) and to the west by the Allegheny Mountains (in western Berkeley County). The Shenandoah River flows northward and empties into the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County; and
Whereas, The entire valley was known as the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy" because of its richness in fertile soils that sustains life for farms and orchards; and
Whereas, In 1996, the United States Congress established the "Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and Commission". At that time, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties were not included as a part of the program; and
Whereas, Berkeley and Jefferson counties should be eligible to become part of the "Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and Commission" and be eligible for any other federal programs that are available for the Shenandoah Valley; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the State of West Virginia and the United States Federal Government fully recognize the counties of Berkeley and Jefferson in the State of West Virginia as part of the beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, West Virginia's congressional delegation, the Governor, the County Commissions of Berkeley and Jefferson counties and the mayors and city councils of Bolivar, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Hedgesville, Martinsburg, Ranson and Shepherdstown.