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.