HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 31

(By Delegates Rowan, R. Smith, L. Phillips, R. Phillips, H. White,

                               Moye, Ambler, Cooper, Ireland, Hill and Marcum)

Declaring the Northern Red Salamander to be the official state amphibian.

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander's color pattern resembles the colorful fall foliage of the Sugar Maple, West Virginia's State Tree; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander is peppered with black spots that resemble the distribution of coal mines throughout West Virginia; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander's color is reminiscent of the red bandanas worn by miners during West Virginia's Mine Wars in the early 20th Century; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander is ubiquitous and located near the cold springs and streams of West Virginia; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander has five toes on each back foot which represents the fifty-five counties of West Virginia; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander has four toes on each of its front feet, representing the eight major rivers of West Virginia; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander is highly sensitive to disruptions in the environment and is, therefore, a barometer to an area's healthiness; and

            Whereas, The Northern Red Salamander seeks to live in harmony with its environment; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Northern Red Salamander is hereby designated and declared to be the official state amphibian; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Romney Middle School Eighth Grade West Virginia Studies class.