House Speaker Rick Thompson holds a mock-up of what a state highway welcome sign might look like with both "Almost Heaven" and "Wild And Wonderful" slogans on it.
CHARLESTON – The House of Delegates has adopted a resolution urging the state to add the extremely well known "Almost Heaven" slogan, in addition to "Wild and Wonderful," to new West Virginia road signs.
"In talking to fellow members and constituents, I determined that a great many people associate "Almost Heaven" with our state even more than they do "Wild and Wonderful" – I know I do," House Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, said. "So with the support of the House Rules Committee, my office worked on a mock-up of how the sign might look with both slogans added to it.
"We were very pleased with the outcome."
The House concurrent resolution is sponsored by Speaker Thompson and Delegates Joe DeLong, Mike Caputo, Ron Fragale, Barbara Hatfield, Lidella Hrutkay, Jim Morgan, Mary Poling, Bill Proudfoot, Joe Talbott, Scott Varner, Carrie Webster, H.K. White, Bill Anderson, Tim Armstead, Larry Border, Mitch Carmichael and John Overington.
The following is the text of HCR 27, which was adopted recently on 98-0 vote:
Designating "Almost Heaven – West Virginia – Wild and Wonderful" as the official roadway welcome slogan of the State of West Virginia.
Whereas, West Virginia is a state known for its breathtaking vistas, winding country roads, and wild mountain rivers; and
Whereas, The beauty of West Virginia may be seen from every corner of this majestic State; and
Whereas, West Virginians possess a proud, independent spirit that is characterized by our State motto Montani Semper Liberi; and
Whereas, The State's beauty and the spirit of her people is also embodied in the popular slogans of "Almost Heaven" and "Wild and Wonderful"; and
Whereas, "Wild and Wonderful" first appeared on West Virginia's roadway welcome signs in 1975 and remained in use until 1991; and the phrase "Wild and Wonderful" has appeared on all West Virginia general issue license plates since 1976; and
Whereas, John Denver's extremely popular song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" which has become the unofficial anthem of West Virginia, opens with the phrase "Almost Heaven, West Virginia"; and
Whereas, The Honorable Senator Robert C. Byrd offers the following statement about West Virginia: "It is the State that is 'Wild and Wonderful' and 'Almost Heaven' with its beautiful hills and law-abiding, God-fearing and patriotic people."
Whereas, On September 5, 2007, the State's citizens voted to select an official welcome slogan for West Virginia's roadway welcome signs with nearly 49,000 West Virginians casting votes for their favorite slogans; and
Whereas, "Wild and Wonderful" and "Almost Heaven" were the first- and second-place choices; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby designates "Almost Heaven – West Virginia – Wild and Wonderful" as the official roadway welcome slogan of the State of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature supports placing the phrase "Almost Heaven – West Virginia – Wild and Wonderful" on West Virginia's roadway welcome signs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia and the Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Transportation.