West Virginia Coal Miner Appreciation Day

by: Clem Guttata

Mon Aug 03, 2009 at 08:02:40 AM EDT

On August 14th, 2009 Governor Joe Manchin along with numerous State and Local officials and the West Virginia Young Democrats will officially announce "West Virginia Coal Miner Appreciation Day." This great event will take place on the grounds of the West Virginia Capitol, outside of the Cultural Center, in front of the coal miner statue. To officially declare this day, the Governor will sign a proclamation, which the Secretary of State will also need to sign in order to make the day official. Governor Manchin and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant are scheduled to sign the resolution and dedicate the day at 2:30 p.m. Other State and Local officials have also been invited and many will be on hand. Many of the House of Delegates members who initially, jointly-introduced the resolution will be there to celebrate the event which will honor all of West Virginia's Coal Miners. Governor Manchin will formally name the Sunday before Labor Day as "West Virginia Coal Miner Appreciation Day." This event is to celebrate and dedicate a day in honor of all West Virginia Coal Miners, their families, and their occupation.

For those of you that don't know the Labor Caucus of West Virginia Young Democrats worked with the Legislature to introduce and pass a resolution supporting West Virginia Coal Miners and the resolution asked for the Governor to declare a day. WVYD Labor Caucus Chairman Justin Marcum alongside WVYD Secretary Matt Sowards and WVYD 3rd Congressional District Director Chris Hatton wrote the resolution which was forwarded via Delegate Steve Kominar who led the charge on getting the resolution introduced. Numerous other Delegates joined Delegate Kominar in introducing the "West Virginia Coal Miner Appreciation Day" resolution. Those delegates are; Speaker Thompson, Caputo, Boggs, Butcher, Campbell, Eldridge, Fragale, Hall, Klempa, Kominar, Lawrence, Mahan, Miley, Morgan, Paxton, Perry, Phillips, D. Poling, Ross, Shaver, Skaff, Stephens, Stowers, Swartzmiller and Varner. The West Virginia Senate passed the resolution by a voice vote.

If you can make it, please join us to celebrate this day and our West Virginia Coal Miners. The ceremony should last about 30 to 45 minutes. Parking is on your own, but many public spaces are available across the State Capitol grounds.

WHO: West Virginia Young Democrats, Governor Joe Manchin, and others
WHAT: West Virginia Coal Miner Appreciation Day
WHEN: Friday, August 14th, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: West Virginia State Capitol grounds in front of Coal Miner Statue
WHY: Signing and celebration of the West Virginia Coal Miner Appreciation Day