The remarks of Representative John Conyers, (D-MI) on Wednesday(shown below this response) were some of the most offensive, hypocritical remarks I have ever heard.
They were offensive because they were a direct affront to our wonderful coal miners, managers and their families in West Virginia. Our miners and managers are some of the most skilled and professional craftsmen in the world. They labor every day in a state they truly love and where they have chosen to pursue one of the most honorable professions in today’s working world. They are working everyday to bring light to America, provide for their families, educate their children, strengthen their communities and manifest the traditional work ethic of patriotic Americans. Yet, Representative Conyers flippantly suggests they should be laid off and seek alternative employment.
I have never understood how one human being could be so narcissistic as to suggest they take another proud, workingman’s job? Just take a person’s livelihood? Particularly when the person is a supposed leader! And particularly when Conyer’s autobiography on his webpage says “…he has spent his entire career fighting forMichigan's working families. As a supporter of the UAW, Congressman Conyers is well aware of the struggles that affect working families.” Hypocritical? Yes, because I cannot imagine anyone from West Virginia ever suggesting that Detroit’s automobile industry be shut down and the UAW workers seek alternative employment! As a matter of fact, they wouldn’t have steel to support their automobile industry if it weren’t for our coal miners, let alone 65% of Michigan’s electricity comes from coal generation.
What is even worse, I certainly cannot even begin to imagine our Congressman Nick Joe Rahall, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito or Congressman David McKinley ever suggesting that Michigan’s history or any other state’s history is “one of the sorriest you’ll ever see.” They would never ever say that, about anybody, anyplace or anything! Conyer’s remarks are an embarrassment to them, to our miners and all the wonderful people in our great state of West Virginia.
On behalf of our industry, I invite Congressman Conyers to West Virginia to meet our coal miners and managers. Come see what they are doing and how important their jobs are to his constituents standard of living. Come see their devotion, their passion, their dedication and their wonderful families.
They deserve better treatment and better statements. It is embarrassing to have anyone, much less members of Congress, to make such short-sighted, hateful and hurtful statements about our State and our wonderful people. I hope Congressman Conyers apologizes to all West Virginians, everywhere. Let’s see if he shows up?
Bill Raney
President
West Virginia Coal Association