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Praise & Appreciation
2008 Endorsements: In the 2008 campaign, endorsements have come from a wide range of organizations, from professional firefights, steelworkers, teachers and farmers to bankers, trial lawyers, doctors, realtors and retailers. To reach the latest list, click here. George Smailes Jr., executive director, Huntington WMCA, April 7, 2008: “on behalf of the Huntington YMCA and our youth members and participants I would like to thank you for your presentation of the grants to assist in the development of recreational fields at the YMCA Kennedy Center. Without your assistance it would be difficult for us to meet the needs of our youth in offering outdoor recreational programs.” Jo Fannin, executive director, Jeffrey E. George Comfort House, April 1, 2008: “Thank you for speaking to the Huntington Rotary Club on March 31, 2008. Your presentation was bold, interesting and informative, and we are indeed fortunate to have you representing us in the Legislature. We applaud you for your unwavering service to our region.” Stephen J. Kopp, president, Marshall University, March 27, 2008: “Thank you for your dedication, leadership and hard work throughout the 2008 legislative session. This session was both a productive and important one for our state’s higher education institutions. Your contributions to the passage of bills important to Marshall and higher education are very much appreciated. … I also want to recognize and thank you for your sponsorship of House Bill 4623, which grants much needed flexibility in matching employees’ retirement contributions. The elimination of the 6 percent cap on institutional retirement contributions will assist us in recruiting and retaining valuable employees. I appreciate your stewardship of this legislation. On a personal note, I value greatly your advice and counsel, your knowledge of the legislative process, and your responsiveness to questions and requests for input. You are an asset to the constituents you serve as well as the citizenry of West Virginia.” Betty P. Sargent, mayor, City of Milton, Oct. 1, 2007: “You have been so good to us at the City of Milton during my terms of office. Your assistance with acquiring funding for our Police Department has allowed us to be able to purchase a new cruiser for the last three years. … Words can not even begin to express how thankful we are for your time and assistance to the City of Milton and we sincerely appreciate all you do for us.” Duane Cook, chairman (and 15 other board members), Jeffrey E. George Comfort House, May 10, 2007: “All of us at the Jeffrey E. George Comfort House want to express our sincere and deepest appreciation for all your work at the 2007 Legislature to nail down a $50,000 line item in the state budget for the Hospital Hospitality House of Huntington. … Your support of the House will enable us to continue to provide a ‘home away from home’ for hundreds of families during the past year who have a loved one as a patient at one of the hospitals in Huntington. … We know the Legislature must make difficult budget decisions every year so again we extend our heartfelt thanks for your kind support.” Rev. Thaddaeus Allen, board president, Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, May 8, 2007: “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Prestera Center for Mental Health Services Inc., I want to thank you so much for the work that you did in securing the $50,000 donation for our new children’s building. … We very much appreciate your work. Our Board of Directors is fully aware that Prestera Center would not be the recipient of this donation without your efforts.” Stephen J. Kopp, president, Marshall University, April 13, 2007: “I want to thank you for all of your efforts during the 2007 legislative session -- a very positive one for Marshall University and higher education! Your leadership as Chairman of the Government Organization Committee was impressive, and by the expert way you negotiated the many issues which come before your committee. With regard to higher education, we saw significant improvements as evidenced by increased appropriations for higher education research, operating capital, student aid, and a much needed salary increase for our faculty and staff. I also appreciate your continued advocacy for the Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research. I remain committed to this initiative, and am convinced that this Institute will be the vehicle to move our State and region forward in the years to come.” Delegate Mike Caputo, majority whip, West Virginia House of Delegates: March 26, 2007: “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the kindnesses and courtesy you have given me through this legislative session. You have made my first year serving as your Majority Whip a most pleasurable one. … Great job, Mr. Chairman!” James L. McClelland, director, Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, March 29, 2007: On behalf of the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, thank you for interceding for us on behalf of the Ritter Park Days Division of Culture and History grants and your March 22 letter advising that the event has received an appropriation of $3,000 in 2008. … Thank you for your interest and efforts on behalf of the park district and the arts.” Joe Manchin III, governor, Marsh 20, 2007: “Thank you for your recent letter asking me to sign Senate Bill 749 into law. I appreciate your thoughts and input. Please rest assured I will take your request into consideration when the bill reaches my desk for signature. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.” Gregory M. Gray, clerk of the West Virginia House of Delegates, Sept. 5, 2006: “Congratulations! On a total of 516 Roll Call votes taken in the House of Delegates during the Regular Session, 2006, you were present for 515 of those votes. Your attendance gives you a voting record of 99.81 percent. Again, congratulations on a job well done.” H. Craig Slaughter, executive director, West Virginia Investment Management Board, March 15, 2007: “Please accept my thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries of the funds entrusted to the Investment Management Board and the taxpayers of the State for your part in working House Bill 2771, the Investment Management Board Prudent Investor Bill, that ultimately became the compromise legislation in the form of Senate Bill 438. There is a line from a song by the Rolling Stones that aptly sums up the end result, ‘You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes … you get what you need.’ I think the Investment Management Board got what it needed for the immediate future.” William Dotson, executive director, Huntington Housing Authority, March 14, 2007: “This letter is to express my sincere appreciation for your positive vote to finance the West Virginia Housing Trust Fund. Your enabling vote will allow organizations like this housing authority and our non-affiliated non-profit, the Housing Development Corporation, to create badly needed affordable housing, both rental and homeownership units. …For the first time in my service career (41 years), the State of West Virginia hs become proactive in providing resources for affordable rental housing. We promise to use your actions to further the affordable housing mission. Thank you.” --- Janet S. Vineyard, chairman, West Virginis Business and Industry Council, April 10, 2008: “The BIC Board of Directors has met and you have received our endorsement in the primary. BIC is comprised by a group of trade association executives interested in expanding the influence of business at the Capitol by working together on common issues. Good luck … We look forward to working with you in the future.” Click here for the list of member companies. West Virginia Business
and Industry Council Member Companies: |
