Bill Text: VA HR473 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-24 - Bill text as passed House (HR473ER) [HR473 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HR473-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth was created to promote and celebrate railroad history in areas with high concentrations of rail facilities in the past and present; and
WHEREAS, in 2009 and 2015, the General Assembly authorized the designation and recognition of Virginia's Rail Heritage Region within the Commonwealth, consisting of Allegheny, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, and Roanoke Counties, the Cities of Bedford, Covington, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Salem, and the Towns of Amherst, Buchanan, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Troutville, and Vinton; and
WHEREAS, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties, the City of Radford, and the Towns of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Dublin, Glen Lyn, Narrows, Pearisburg, Pembroke, Pulaski, and Rich Creek have also each benefited from the significant contributions of rail services in their respective communities and have been proposed as new members of Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, it is important that succeeding generations be equipped to share the history and understanding of the significant role that rail service played in developing the region; and
WHEREAS, examples of this heritage today include the New River Train Observatory and rail heritage–themed farmer's market in Radford, New River Trail State Park in Pulaski County, The Huckleberry Trail connecting the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg and Montgomery County, and the quintessential essence of the railroad traveling along the meanders of the New River in Giles County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth hereby be commended for its role in promoting and preserving railroad history; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution to the county boards and city and town councils of each proposed new locality in Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth as an expression of the House of Delegates' appreciation for the rich history of the region.
