November 10, 2007- First Greek West Virginia Day
Governor Manchin’s Office has approved a resolution to proclaim November 10, 2007 as Greek West Virginia Day. Originally the mayor of Montgomery, WV hoped to have a day proclaimed “Christopher Janus Day” but she passed away last spring. When people contacted the Governor’s Office about having November 10th named in his honor for his return home to introduce the theatrical premiere of his film, “Goodbye, Miss Fourth of July,” Emily Castleberry informed them that days cannot be designated in honor of a living person.
Therefore a proclamation was submitted to honor all West Virginians of Greek ancestry. Here is the proclamation in the current form. It may be changed sometime this fall as the proclamation is officially released. Dr. Fred Barkey was an adviser on writing this statement. Cathy Pleska’s WV Encyclopedia entry was also used as a supporting document. The West Virginia Labor History Association will be releasing its chapter on Greeks in West Virginia from a coming book called “Ethnic Sampler” that will be published as a book in the future.
Here is a recent article about Mr. Janus in the Wilmette Pioneer-Press about his amazing life - http://www.pioneerlocal.com/wilmette/news/464629,wi-janus-071207-s1.article.
DATE OF EVENT: November 10, 2007
DAY, WEEK OR MONTH BEING PROCLAIMED: Day – November 10th, 2007
TITLE OF DAY, WEEK OR MONTH PROCLAIMED: Greek
West Virginia Day
STATEMENTS ABOUT THE EVENT TO BE USED IN THE “WHEREAS” SECTION OF THE PROCLAMATION:
- Whereas citizens of Greek extraction have added greatly to the religious, culture and civic life of
West Virginia communities and continue to do so; - Whereas Greeks have contributed their labor, skills and expertise to a variety ofMountain
State economic activities such as coal, tin, and steel production; - Whereas Greeks have been an important component of the state’s small business complex;
- Whereas Greek immigrants have been an important part of West Virginia history for more than 100 years;
- Whereas Greek immigrants have lived in communities throughout the state, ranging from Wheeling to Bluefield, from Huntington to the eastern panhandle;
- Whereas Christopher Janus, born in Charleston in 1911, was raised in Montgomery, WV, and author of a book, “Goodbye, Miss Fourth of July” based on his life growing up in Montgomery;
- Whereas the film was turned into an award-winning film shown every year on the Disney Cable on the Fourth of July for decades;
- Whereas Mr. Janus, now 96 years old will be traveling from Chicago to introduce the first showing of the film in a movie theater in West Virginia on November 10th;
BE IT RESOLVED that the State of West Virginia will celebrate Greek-West Virginia Day on November 10, 2007 in honor of Mr. Janus’ visit and to honor all West Virginians of Greek descendant.
Christopher Janus receiving the American Hellenic Institute Foundation’s Hellenic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Picture here with George Savvaids, ambassdor of Greece to the United States.
