Rahall Presented Manufacturing Award in Huntington

Huntington, W.Va. – Today, at a manufacturing roundtable in Huntington, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.) was presented the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Legislative Excellence Award for his support of American manufacturing. Rahall was honored for supporting policies that enable manufacturers in the United States to create jobs, compete globally, and improve living standards for manufacturing workers.

“I want West Virginia to be part of a new manufacturing revolution, keeping well-paying jobs right here.  In West Virginia, we have forged a proud made-in-America legacy and I am working to keep that legacy alive,” said Rahall.  “I salute our West Virginia manufacturers for their commitment to our State and the future of our Nation.  Investing in plants and people here at home is not just a smart business move, it is also a demonstration of patriotism.” 

Rahall, one of six Democratic Members of Congress to receive the award, has been a staunch advocate of low-cost fossil fuels, like coal, for meeting the energy needs of manufacturers and small businesses that are competing in the worldwide marketplace.  He also is a leader in Congress in pressing for infrastructure investments in the American transportation and water systems, enabling manufacturers in the United States to get their products to market.

Rahall lauded West Virginia’s manufacturing sector and the advancements at Marshall University and the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, where STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, workforce training, and applied research are helping to create high-wage and high-skilled jobs of the future.  He also praised West Virginia’s community and technical college system, and noted his work to make funding available to help retrain workers, including returning veterans, for jobs in rapidly growing job sectors of the economy.

“I intend to keep right on fighting for investments in our West Virginia workforce – a workforce grounded in those basic West Virginia values, like tenacity, loyalty, patriotism.  These hardworking men and women are lending great weight to revitalizing the world-class American manufacturing sector,” said Rahall. 

Norfolk Southern and CSX Rail hosted the roundtable and presented the award to Rahall, with representatives from local businesses including Toyota, Star Technologies, Rubberlite, Kanawha Manufacturing, and Carbon Fiber Composites in attendance.

“The hard work and creativity of our manufacturers is helping to lift our economy and transform the world.  And you can count on me to help advance that noble goal.  As long our state retains its clout in Congress, we can continue to steer federal investments into our economy, build up our infrastructure, and bolster our business sector – all with the goal of creating jobs for our people right here at home,” said Rahall.

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