HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 184 House Amendments in [ ] – January 18, 2008 Recognizing the historic value and importance of the last known wild herd of Spanish mustangs. ---------- Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Suit ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, on the barrier islands of Virginia and North Carolina, there exists a herd of wild horses that are the last known herd of Spanish mustangs existing in a natural state and whose presence predates English settlement in North America; and

WHEREAS, in 1926 a reporter for National Geographic magazine noted that more than 5,000 wild horses roamed the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a portion of the Outer Banks north of Corolla and south of the Virginia state line has been designated as a wild horse sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, horses leaving the wild horse sanctuary risk entering Virginia and being killed on the roadways and entering populated areas near Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth must protect the presence of this important cultural and historical resource in Virginia, which is an emblem of our national heritage; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for funds for the construction of fences to contain the horses safely in the wild horse sanctuary, for assisting community groups willing to return horses to the sanctuary from populated areas in Virginia, and for paying for the medical care needed by horses injured on Virginia roadways; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the  [ historic value and importance of the last known wild herd of Spanish mustangs be recognized ]

 [ ; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Natural Resources, requesting that he further disseminate copies of this resolution to his respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly in this matter ] .

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 184 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 9, 2008 Recognizing the historic value and importance of the last known wild herd of Spanish mustangs. ---------- Patron-- Suit ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, on the barrier islands of Virginia and North Carolina, there exists a herd of wild horses that are the last known herd of Spanish mustangs existing in a natural state and whose presence predates English settlement in North America; and

WHEREAS, in 1926, a reporter for National Geographic magazine noted that more than 5,000 wild horses roamed the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a portion of the Outer Banks north of Corolla and south of the Virginia state line has been designated as a wild horse sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, horses leaving the wild horse sanctuary risk entering Virginia and being killed on the roadways and entering populated areas near Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth must protect the presence of this important cultural and historical resource in Virginia, which is an emblem of our national heritage; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for funds for the construction of fences to contain the horses safely in the wild horse sanctuary, for assisting community groups willing to return horses to the sanctuary from populated areas in Virginia, and for paying for the medical care needed by horses injured on Virginia roadways; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the wild herd of Spanish mustangs living on Virginia's Outer Banks is recognized for its historic value and importance.