by Jeremiah Shelor STAFF WRITER

 

MORGANTOWN — Members of the U.S. Congress came to North Central West Virginia Friday to attend a United Mine Workers of America rally and learn more about the issues faced by coal miners in the region.

 

U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., traveled to the Harrison County Mine (formerly Robinson Run) for a tour after the rally, which was held in Morgantown.

McKinley and Welch have proposed bipartisan legislation aimed at helping displaced miners.

 

McKinley and Welch talked with state workforce development officials before meeting with coal miners who have lost their jobs amid the recent downturn in the industry.

 

“I think it was good to look them in the eye and have them look us in the eye and show them how serious we are about figuring out how to help them,” McKinley said. “Rather than pointing the finger, let’s solve the problems that we can handle.”

 

Welch said his visit to the Mountain State Friday will inform how he debates the issues affecting the region on Capitol Hill.

 

“It’s had a big impact on me. We sat down with individual miners who lost their jobs, and they told me face-to-face about how long they’ve worked, how much they loved working, how tough it is to be out of a job, the stress on their families and their primary desire to get back to work,” Welch said.

 

“It’s had a real emotional impact on me that I’d like to share with my colleagues so that they understand the urgency of us trying to help.”

 

McKinley and Welch discussed their desire to see Congress pass legislation to protect the benefits owed to retired coal miners.

 

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