FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 26, 2021
[CHARLESTON, W.VA.] Commenting the appointment by President Biden of Gayle Manchin to co-chair the Appalachian Regional Commission, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:
“I applaud President Biden for his appointment of Gayle Manchin to be co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. She is the perfect choice. She has been deeply involved in the hard work of improving the lives of people in Appalachia for decades and has demonstrated her commitment to creating opportunities for all its people over and over again.
“Her work with the Reconnecting MacDowell initiative that we are involved with, along with the American Federation of Teachers and others, has brought a bright new ray of hope to thousands of working families in that southern West Virginia county that has been so devastated by the loss of coal jobs and the tax base that goes with them.
“Gayle is a true force of nature who will be a tremendous asset to the Commission as we all work to preserve and expand job opportunities and rebuild already devastated communities throughout Appalachia. We stand ready to work side by side with her in this critically important task.”
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