King Coal Highway Groundbreaking, From Vision to Reality
October
2000
More than 600 people gathered to celebrate the King Coal Highway groundbreaking
October 20, 2000 at the Brushfork National Guard Armory in Bluefield. The theme
for the 10:30 a.m. ceremony was "From Vision to Reality."
Governor Cecil H. Underwood,
Congressman Nick J. Rahall II and Transportation Secretary Samuel H. Beverage, along
with state and local officials, addressed the audience and joined together to break
ground at the ceremony. Michael Mitchem, executive director of the King Coal Highway
Authority, was the master of ceremonies for the event.
The King Coal Highway Authority
and local elected officials were recognized during the program. At the ceremony,
Congressman Rahall read remarks from United States Senator Robert C. Byrd, who was
unable to attend the event. Mitchem also read a letter from Speaker of the West
Virginia House of Delegates Robert S. Kiss, who was unable to attend.
The program
for the King Coal Highway groundbreaking was as follows:
Master of Ceremonies:
Michael Mitchem
Executive Director, King Coal Highway Authority
Invocation:
The Reverend
Garry Moore
Scott Street Baptist Church of Bluefield
Welcome:
The Honorable George McGonagle
Vice Mayor, City of Bluefield
The Honorable William P. Stafford II
Mayor,
City of Princeton
Presentation of Colors:
Members of Headquarters Company
150th Armor
Battalion Color Guard
National Anthem:
Tracey O'Donnell
Montcalm High School
Pledge
of Allegiance:
Cub Scout Pack 252 of Bluewell
Remarks:
The Honorable Joe Coburn
President
Mercer County Commission
Samuel H. Beverage, P.E.
Secretary, West Virginia Department
of Transportation
The Honorable Nick J. Rahall, II
United States House of Representatives,
State of West Virginia
The Honorable Leonard Anderson
West Virginia State Senate,
10th District
The Honorable Cecil H. Underwood
Governor, State of West Virginia
Benediction:
The Reverend William H. Armstrong
Episcopal Church of Princeton
Groundbreaking
Reception
Cub Scout Pack 252 of Bluewell greets Governor Cecil H. Underwood before the ceremony.
|
Teresa and Marina Sampson of Bramwell pose with Governor Cecil H. Underwood.
|
Executive Director of the King Coal Highway Authority Michael Mitchem begins the
ceremony by explaining how the King Coal Highway will provide safer travel and economic
growth opportunities for the residents of southern West Virginia.
|
Vice Mayor George McGonagle of Bluefield welcomes attendees to the ceremony.
 |
Members of Headquarters Company 150th Armor Battalion Color Guard present the colors
for the event.
|
Tracey O'Donnell sings the national anthem as Mayor William P. Stafford II of Princeton
(right) looks on. Mayor Stafford gave welcome remarks at the ceremony.
|
Cub Scout Pack 252 of Bluewell leads the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
|
More than 600 people attended the King Coal Highway groundbreaking ceremony.
|
President Joe Coburn of the Mercer County Commission speaks to the crowd.
|
Secretary Samuel H. Beverage of the West Virginia Department
of Transportation explains to the crowd how the King Coal Highway has been a part
of the governor's overall transportation plan from his first term.
|
Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II of the United States House
of Representatives talks about his ongoing dedication to the King Coal Highway.
|
West Virginia State Senator Leonard Anderson tells the
crowd how pleased he is that the King Coal Highway is progressing.
|
Governor Cecil H. Underwood expresses his gratitude to
everyone who has worked with him to make his transportation vision a reality.
|
The officials break ground on the King Coal Highway.
|
Governor Cecil H. Underwood and Secretary Samuel H. Beverage
of the West Virginia Department of Transportation visit with members of the crowd
and media after the ceremony. |
Attendees study one of the King Coal Highway project maps
displayed at the ceremony.
|