Honoring Our Own: Coal Miner’s Day proclaimed in Pikeville

By JEREMY REYNOLDS

News Editor

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Unappreciated is far from what coal miners should feel. On Thursday, Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford made a proclamation declaring May 1 as Kentucky Coal Miner Appreciation Day, making sure they get the recognition he feels they deserve.

“Today is Coal Miner’s Day,” said Rutherford. “And we’re here to honor the coal miners.”

Coal mining is the leading industry in Kentucky, and Pike County is the leading coal producing county in the state. It is also the leading underground coal producing county in the country.

After opening the ceremony, Judge Rutherford called upon Elder Kermit Wright to say a few words and give the opening prayer.
“Coal miners have brought a lot of prosperity to our area," said Elder Wright. “But, having been a coal miner myself, we often feel neglected.”

In 2004, coal mining made approximately $8.6 billion in Pike County alone. And in 2006, there were 4,305 coal miners employed in Pike County.

When asked to speak at the ceremony, Pike County Attorney Keith Hall said “This is a big deal to honor the coal miners. There isn’t anything harder or more dangerous than mining. I would put it up there with going to battle.”

Dr. Bill Higginbotham, president of the Kentucky Coal Academy, was the featured speaker of the event. He started his speech saying, “We love the coal industry.”

He went on to talk about the academy, and how it uses the latest technology to give coal miners the best training possible before going to work.

Judge Rutherford talked about the economic difference that coal could make on transportation.

“Coal is the answer to the transportation problem,” he said. “Coal is our economy. It always has been, and it always will be.”

At the end of the ceremony, Judge John Doug Hayes was asked to read the proclamation by Judge Rutherford.  

One section of the proclamation read, “Coal is the cornerstone of our rich, local heritage.”

Judge Rutherford said that plans are being made to erect a coal miner statue somewhere on the Pike County Courthouse square as a memorial to all the coal miners in the area.

The prevailing theme by all who spoke was clear: Nothing can compare to the impact the coal mining has made on the economy in our area. They went on to stress that it is our responsibility to honor those who put their lives in danger  to ensure the future of our this area.