CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With all the local attention being given to the 50th anniversary of the decisive West Virginia primary won by John F. Kennedy, it is an odd coincidence that another Kennedy connection with West Virginia will also be prominently featured nationally.
A high school student from Chattanooga, Tenn., Michael Reed, has won the national JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest for high school students. This year, 1,863 students submitted essays, and the winner receives a $10,000 award.
Reed will be honored by Caroline Kennedy in a May 24 ceremony at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum. The contest is a companion program of the highly regarded Profile in Courage Award named for President Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Profiles in Courage." The award is given to a person that risked their career taking on the wrath of powerful special-interest groups.
This timely award is significant because the winning essay is about a West Virginian. In his essay "Ken Hechler: Hell-Raiser in Coal Country," Reed describes how Congressman Hechler took on both the corrupt United Mine Workers and coal executives for disregarding safety protection for miners. At times his life was at risk, and, despite attacks from all sides, Hechler plowed straight ahead, the result being the passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.
Reed cites "Hechler's courageous refusal to 'go along' with coal's special interests" and says his actions "led to sweeping reforms that saved thousands of lives." Reed ended his winning essay stating that in "Profiles in Courage," Kennedy affirmed that "Each man must decide for himself the course he will follow."
"Ken Hechler has courageously done just that."
Sometimes the people of West Virginia forget and fail to appreciate Ken Hechler's remarkable career, unique to any one in the nation. From being a Bronze Star recipient in World War II and a speechwriter for President Harry Truman to serving several elected offices, his diverse record of public service is unparalleled.
At age 95, he remarkably continues fighting the good fight. Congratulations are due to this legendary hero of Appalachia for being the subject of such a prestigious award.
Fleming, of Blacksburg, Va., is professor emeritus of education at Virginia Tech and author of "Ask What You Can Do For Your Country: The Memory and Legacy of John F. Kennedy" and "Kennedy vs. Humphrey: West Virginia, 1960."