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From left to right, Jill Upson for West Virginia House of Delegates 65th District, Katherine Goble Moore, daughter of NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson, and Delegate Saira Blair, the youngest person elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 59th district, in the House of Delegates on Monday, April 3.

The House of Delegates on Monday recognized NASA mathematics pioneer and White Sulphur Springs native Katherine Johnson with resolutions declaring August 26 “Katherine Johnson Day” and asking Congress to rename the NASA IV & V Facility at Fairmont in her honor.

Johnson’s daughter, Katherine Moore, participated in a recognition ceremony this week to accept the honor on her mother’s behalf.

“Katherine Johnson’s life story is an inspiration to all Americans, particularly women and minorities,” said Delegate Jill Upson, R-Jefferson, who helped organize Monday’s events. “I hope that with an annual day recognizing her contributions, school children for generations to come will be inspired to reach for the stars and make bold efforts to advance our society.”

Johnson was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Her extraordinary contributions were detailed in Margot Lee Shetterly’s acclaimed book, Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, which this past year was adapted into a motion picture that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year.

Delegates adopted House Concurrent Resolution 94, which would designate Aug. 26 as “Katherine Johnson Day” across the state. Delegates also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 26, which formally requests Congress rename the Fairmont NASA facility in Johnson’s honor.

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