Political Quotes

“A couple of weeks ago, we began the ``150 Reasons to Love West Virginia'' project to honor our State's 150th birthday, which is tomorrow. We asked West Virginians to send us what they love about the Mountain State, and they delivered. Many people cited West Virginia's strong heritage and rich history as reasons to love our State. We all know that West Virginia is rooted in the values of hard work and the respect of our neighbors. I love how West Virginia friends are for a lifetime. My family's history is deeply rooted in the State of West Virginia, and I love that. I love the State's nicknames, ``Wild and Wonderful'' and ``Almost Heaven.'' David J. Stoffel said: We are a collection of communities joined by a common trust, respect, love, and willingness to help our neighbor. Once you are a Mountaineer, you will always be a Mountaineer. Anita Keaton wrote that small, quaint towns throughout West Virginia like Thomas and Thurmond are the ``heart and soul of our great State.'' It all began in June in 1861, when a group of pro-Union Virginians met in Wheeling, West Virginia. Together, they created the Restored Government of Virginia, which sought to rebuild ties with the Union. On April 20, West Virginia became the only State in the Union to acquire its sovereignty by proclamation of the President of the United States, and that President was Abraham Lincoln. And on June 20, 1863, 150 years ago tomorrow, we formally joined the Union.…”