FAIRLEA, W.Va. — Community members and organizers are pushing to officially recognize a Pledge of West Virginia that was introduced decades ago but never placed into state law, setting up a grassroots drive that organizers say is aimed at preserving state traditions and fostering pride among residents.
Background and current push
Members of the West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service (WVCEOS) and volunteers have been gathering signatures to codify the pledge at public events, including a presence at the State Fair of West Virginia in the WVU Extension building. The pledge has been recited at the Harrison County 4-H Camp for some time, organizers said, but many West Virginians are unfamiliar with it.
The pledge was introduced by former Secretary of State James Manchin in 1977, according to organizers, but it was not formally enacted into law by the end of his term. Community leaders now say the pledge has remained in limbo for decades and they want to give it official status.
Organizers’ rationale and support
April Lanham, with WVCEOS, described the effort as nonpolitical and community-driven. She framed the campaign around a phrase she said is part of the pledge: "Pride of the People."" Lanham said that the goal is to continue that sense of community pride without bringing government or partisan politics into the effort.
"A part of this is 'Pride of the People' and we feel like we are the pride of the people to try to continue this. Not the pride of West Virginia – pride of our people. Nothing political, whatsoever. Nothing government, so it's just to support West Virginia and the true Mountaineers of West Virginia," said Lanham.
The campaign has drawn support from within the Manchin family. Dr. Mark Manchin, son of James Manchin and a faculty member at Glenville State University, is reportedly backing the drive to codify the pledge.
Public outreach and petition activity
Organizers say they have already collected a significant number of signatures and are using high-traffic events such as the State Fair to increase visibility. The WVU Extension building has been a focal point for volunteers seeking to inform fairgoers and gather additional endorsements.
Those involved characterize the project as a cultural and educational initiative, intended to broaden awareness of the pledge and its language across the Mountain State.
Questions and next steps
While supporters emphasize a nonpolitical motive, making a pledge official typically would require formal action through the state legislature or other legal mechanisms. Organizers have not announced a specific legislative timeline or partner lawmaker to carry the measure.
For now, the campaign appears focused on building public support and a record of community backing that could later be presented to lawmakers or officials if organizers pursue codification through statutory or administrative channels.
- Where organizers are collecting signatures: WVU Extension building at the State Fair of West Virginia
- Key backers named: April Lanham (WVCEOS) and Dr. Mark Manchin
- Origin of the pledge: Introduced by James Manchin in 1977 but never enacted
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1977 (James Manchin) |
| Current activity | Signature gathering at State Fair, outreach via WVCEOS |
| Supporters mentioned | April Lanham, Dr. Mark Manchin |
Those who want more information or wish to sign the petition can visit the WVU Extension building at the State Fair while volunteers are present. Organizers say their efforts will continue as they collect signatures and explain the pledge to residents who may not have encountered it before.
How state officials will respond — and whether the initiative will translate into formal codification — remains to be seen. For now, the campaign reflects a local attempt to enshrine a lesser-known piece of West Virginia heritage into an official practice through community petition and outreach.
Reporting for this story included statements provided at the fair and interviews with organizers affiliated with WVCEOS. No legislative action has been filed publicly as a result of the petition drive at this time.
