IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 151 
Recognizing the sesquicentennial of West Virginia statehood. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 11, 2013 
Mrs. CAPITO (for herself, Mr. RAHALL, and Mr. MCKINLEY) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the sesquicentennial of West Virginia statehood. 
Whereas 2013 marks 150 years since the United States ad-
mitted West Virginia as the 35th State in the Union; 
Whereas the sesquicentennial of West Virginia statehood is a 
truly momentous occasion that allows all West Virginians 
to reflect on the State’s proud heritage and bright future; 
Whereas the territory that is now the State of West Virginia 
was originally part of the Commonwealth of Virginia; 
Whereas, on May 23, 1861, Virginia voters ratified the Seces-
sion Ordinance to leave the United States and join the 
Confederacy; 
Whereas in June 1861, a group of pro-union Virginians met 
in Wheeling, West Virginia, in what became known as the 
Second Wheeling Convention; 
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•HRES 151 IH 
Whereas the Second Wheeling Convention declared all State 
offices in Virginia vacant, and all acts of the General As-
sembly to be null and void by virtue of its attempt to 
force ‘‘the people of Virginia to separate from and wage 
war against the government of the United States and 
against citizens of neighboring states[.]’’; 
Whereas the Second Wheeling Convention created the Re-
stored Government of Virginia that sought to rebuild ties 
with the Union; 
Whereas, on October 24, 1861, residents of the area that is 
now West Virginia voted to approve West Virginia state-
hood; 
Whereas President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation 
on April 20, 1863, during the heat of the Civil War, ad-
mitting West Virginia to the Union; 
Whereas West Virginia formally joined the Union on June 
20, 1863; and 
Whereas President Lincoln recognized the importance of 
West Virginia’s admission to the Union by writing 
‘‘[T]he admission of the new state, turns that much slave 
soil to free; and thus, is a certain, and irrevocable en-
croachment upon the cause of the rebellion. The division 
of a State is dreaded as a precedent. But a measure 
made expedient by a war, is no precedent for times of 
peace. It is said that the admission of West Virginia, is 
secession, and tolerated only because it is our secession. 
Well, if we call it by that name, there is still difference 
enough between secession against the constitution, and 
secession in favor of the constitution. I believe the admis-
sion of West Virginia into the Union is expedient.’’: Now, 
therefore, be it 
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•HRES 151 IH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the sesquicentennial of West Vir-
ginia statehood; and 
(2) encourages all West Virginians to observe 
such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities 
on this historic occasion. 
Æ 
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