Friends of Coal spokesmen Coach Bob Pruett, Jeremy Starks and Field Representative Mel Hancock have been making the rounds to promote the industry and the Friends of Coal.  Last week they attended the groundbreaking for the new visitors' center at the Beckley Exhibition Mine, an open house at Hughes Supply, bringing attention to the expansion and new location, and the dedication of Bobby Pruett Stadium in Beckley.  Mel has met with Narco, Phillips Machinery, Norfolk Southern, Nelson Brothers and Ranger Construction.  Jeremy and Mel also attended and participated in meetings with the Paint Creek and Kelly's Creek Watershed Associations and Mel will speak to the Beckley Quota Club on June 26th.  While they, as well as others, have been extremely busy in preparation for this year's YMCA Friends of Coal Auto Fair, they have obtained a half-dozen new members for the Association.  The energetic presence and promotion of the Friends of Coal is effectively spreading the word and expanding the support.

     West Virginia Coal gathered with association and company officials from Kentucky, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio in Washington for an aggressive two-day meeting this week.  The group's mission is to bring attention to the importance of the coal industry in these states to the nation and to express concern and interest in many activities occurring in DC.  The Wednesday night reception had good participation from the West Virginia delegation as did the Thursday morning briefing.  The group also met with MSHA Administrator Richard Stickler and his assistant Bob Friend as well as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works John Paul Woodley and several members of his staff.   The productive two days was held at National Mining's headquarters and helped the group to be updated on the fast moving legislative agenda of Congress that includes coal-to-liquids legislation and another MINER Act being introduced.  The consortium of eastern and mid-western states account for more than 42% of the nation's production while having nearly 80% of the country's coal miners and 47% of the known reserves.  The next meeting is tentatively planned for late July.

   The WVCA Mine Law & Safety Committee will hold a meeting on Monday, June 25, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Charleston Marriott in Salons A&B.  All member companies are welcome to attend but a confirmation of attendance is necessary by calling or e-mailing Sandi at 304/342-4153 or e-mail:  sdavison@wvcoal.com.

     Rebecca Johnson, wife of Bob Johnson, formerly Superintendent of Wolf Creek Collieries, Marrowbone Development & Fork Creek Mining, passed away on Tuesday, June 19 at her residence in Mt. Juliet.  Memorial gifts may be given to the Rebecca J. Johnson Cancer Research Assistance Fund at First Bank in Carmi, IL via the Campbell Funeral Home, 609 W. Main Street, Carmi, IL  62821.

Room reservations at The Greenbrier need to be made ASAP.  The hotel deadline is rapidly approaching and they want to release any remaining rooms in our block for other potential guests, so please give them a call at 304/536-1110 and ask for Gayle Hicks in reservations.  If you have not received your registration form from the Association please let me know and I’ll forward one via e-mail.

Again, thanks to Rish Equipment, we will have the Lovin’ Spoonful as our guest band for Saturday evening and it will be a casual affair for a change.  So get out that leisure wear and plan to have a great time.