(a) The Legislature finds that the role of West Virginia, its creation as a state and the roles of individual West Virginians in the American Civil War, from the time of John Brown's Raid through the formation of the State of West Virginia and the conclusion of the American Civil War, are of such historical significance as to warrant their commemoration.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 4-13-1

  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

(b) There is hereby created the West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission.

(c) The purpose of the commission is to prepare for and commemorate the sesquicentennial of West Virginia's participation in the American Civil War.