WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Jim Justice spoke about his bill, which would redesignate a playground in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in the State of West Virginia as the “Hearts of Gold Playground: In Honor of West Virginia Children and Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer” and celebrated his colleagues voting to pass it out of committee.
Watch Senator Justice’s full speech HERE.
BACKGROUND:
- Senator Justice introduced this bill alongside Senator Capito and Representative Miller on September 30, 2025, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
- The primary playground located in the Grandview area at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has long served as a space for families to gather, children to play, and the community to come together in one of West Virginia’s most scenic and beloved parks.
- The name carries symbolic meaning:
- “Hearts of Gold” honors the incredible strength of those battling pediatric cancer.
- The Gold Ribbon is the international symbol for childhood cancer awareness.
- While Governor, Senator Jim Justice announced September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in West Virginia.
- Additionally, he signed a bill into law providing a special license plate for Curing Childhood Cancer.