Tag: Ken Hechler

December 30, 1969: President Nixon Signs Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act

On December 30, 1969, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act.  Since the Monongah mine disaster in Marion County more than 60 years earlier, Congress had been passing laws to address coal mine safety. However, most were filled with loopholes or lacked funding for enforcement.

The tide turned after another Marion County disaster. The 1968 Farmington explosion killed 78 miners. Americans watched in horror as the drama unfolded on national TV. 

After the disaster, Congressman Ken Hechler paid to bring hundreds of miners and the widows of the Farmington miners to protest at the nation’s capitol. Black lung doctors rallied miners in the coalfields and testified before Congress about unsafe mining conditions. And in the spring of 1969, 40,000 miners defied their union and went on strike to support the legislation.

The resulting law increased mine inspections; allowed the government to shut down unsafe mines; placed stricter limits on coal dust; improved ventilation, roof supports, and methane detection; and provided compensation to miners suffering from black lung. The landmark legislation ultimately led to a significant decrease in deaths from coal mining.

September 20, 1914: Congressman Ken Hechler Born

Congressman Ken Hechler was born in New York on September 20, 1914—and celebrated his 100th birthday in 2014.

During World War II, he served as a combat historian and earned the bronze star and five battle stars. Afterward, he taught at Princeton University and served on President Harry Truman’s staff.

In 1957, Hechler moved to West Virginia to teach at Marshall College (now University). From 1959 to 1977, he served in Congress and became an advocate for coal mine health and safety and environmental protection. He played key roles in passing the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and fought to limit the effects of strip mining and preserve the New River. And he was the only congressman to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama.

Hechler lost a race for governor in 1976 and later failed several times to regain his congressional seat. Between 1985 and 2001, he served four terms as West Virginia’s Secretary of State and became a vocal critic of mountatintop removal mining.

Ken Hechler’s book The Bridge at Remagen was made into a popular 1969 movie.

Editor’s Note: Heckler died in December 2016 at the age of 102. The audio story was produced six months before his death.

Shepherd Hosts Hechler Screening

The Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, Lifelong Learning Program and West Virginia Public Broadcasting proudly present “Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice”, the story of the former U.S. Congressman, West Virginia Secretary of State, university professor, author, and environmental activist, who changed the face of West Virginia politics.   

This documentary traces the evolution of Hechler’s political philosophy to the progressive movement of the early 20th century and follows his commitment to public service and political office. With added insight from U.S. Senators Tom Harkin, George McGovern, and Robert Dole, and U.S. Representatives John Brademas and James Symington, the film highlights Hechler’s lifelong devotion to helping the citizens of the West Virginia and the nation. Russ Barbour and Chip Hitchcock, producers of the documentary, will participate in a discussion after the viewing.

The screening is Wednesday, April 5th at 6:30 p.m. at the Robert C. Byrd Center at Shepherd University and is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 6 p.m. Space is limited.  For more information or to RSVP click here.

Hechler Honored in Capitol Memorial Service

Nearly 100 mourners gathered at a memorial service for Ken Hechler Monday at the Culture Center on the state Capitol complex. 

Hechler, a nine-term Congressman and West Virginia’s Secretary of State, passed away Dec. 10 at 102.

The service included remembrances from some of the state’s top political leaders as well as close personal friends and former employees of Hechler. They included Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, former longtime Attorney General Darrell McGraw, and several others. 

Known for his larger than life personality, Hechler spent nine terms in Congress where he fought for civil rights and coal mine safety legislation and for compensation for miners suffering from black lung disease.

He served as West Virginia’s Secretary of State for 15 years and was a special assistant to President Harry Truman as well as a decorated war veteran, historian and professor. 

Additional services:

Wednesday, Dec. 22 4-8 p.m.- Viewing at Giffin Funeral Home in Capon Bridge

Thursday, Dec. 23 11:00 a.m.- Augusta Church of Christ in Augusta 

Burial will follow Thursday service at Branch Mountain United Methodist Cemetery in Three Churches

Funeral Arrangements for Ken Hechler Announced

Funeral services for former Congressman and Secretary of State Ken Hechler have been announced.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 Monday afternoon at the Culture Center on the grounds of the State Capitol in Charleston.  Hechler will lie in repose there beginning at 10:00 that morning.  The service will be broadcast live on The West Virginia Channel.

Another service will be held in Hampshire County.  A visitation at the Griffin Funeral Home in Capon Bridge will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 on Wednesday and a funeral service at the Augusta Church of Christ is Augusta at 11:00 Thursday morning.

Hechler died Saturday.  He was 102.

Ken Hechler Remembered for His Work in Mine Safety

Longtime West Virginia Congressman, Secretary of State, and World War II veteran, Ken Hechler has died at the age of 102. He was known nationwide for his work in improving coal mine health and safety, among many other accomplishments.

Ken Hechler served in Congress from 1959 to 1977 and played a key role in the passage of the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, comprehensive legislation that established federal ventilation requirements for underground mines.

Hechler also fought to limit the environmental effects of strip mining and preserve the New River.

Hechler was a combat historian during World War II and earned the bronze star and five battle stars. He was a professor at Marshall University, special assistant to President Harry Truman, and was the only congressman to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, in support of voting equality.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting produced a documentary in 2008 on Hechler’s life. That documentary is available here.

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