FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2007
Contact:  Roman Prezioso, 304-366-5308 or
Marianne Moran, 304-368-1123

Monongah Mine Centennial Features Special Events

            Remembrance Committee plans dedications and festivals to honor miners

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Dec. 6, 1907, more than 350 men and boys lost their lives in the Number Eight and Number Six mines in Monongah, West Virginia.  In this small, north central coal town, the victims included immigrants from Italy, Ireland, Poland, Hungary and Austria as well as long-time West Virginians.  This year, West Virginia will remember those miners, their families and the legacy of the town at three special events in August, October and December.

            Gov. Joe Manchin named an 11-member committee to lead those special events.  Sen. Roman W. Prezioso of Fairmont is the committee chair.  Other members include Roger Huffman, Pat Mascara, Debbie Vandetta, Joe Eates and Ann Eates of Monongah; Janet Salvati and Marianne Moran of Fairmont; and Joseph D’Andrea of Moon Township, Pa.  Randall Reid-Smith, Division of Culture and History commissioner, and Betty Carver, Division of Tourism commissioner, serve on the committee as well.

            “There is, for every West Virginian, an understanding that our coal industry is vital to the energy of the state,” Gov. Manchin said in announcing the committee.  “While we focus on the Monongah centennial at these events, we will be recognizing the hard work of all miners who are working today.”

            Sen. Prezioso said that the centennial committee believes its responsibility to plan meaningful special events led the members to take an international look at the commemorations.

            “The people of Monongah will always know that their town’s history includes a chapter that is at once tragic and noteworthy,” Sen. Prezioso said.  “We want to commemorate that chapter with attention to the town, to the miners and to the families that survived this sad day.”

            To do that, the committee has scheduled three events.

·        Aug. 16 – 19 is the Monongah Centennial Commemoration Festival

·        October, Columbus Day weekend, is the dedication of the Monongah heroine statue. The date is still to be set.

·        Dec. 6 is the mine disaster centennial and will include the presentation of a special bell from Italy’s Martinelli Foundry by guests from the Italian town of San Giovanni.

The August festival will include a dinner at which Gov. Manchin is scheduled to speak, a candlelight vigil at Mount Calvary Cemetery, a Saturday festival and parade and Sunday Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Bransfield at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

    In October, the Columbus Day Weekend will be the time for a dedication ceremony for the Monongah Heroine Statue.

    “This statue, of a strong mother and children, is dedicated to those women and families who faced the tragedy at Monongah and moved forward to make good lives for their children in a world that was much changed from the one they knew,” Sen. Prezioso said.

On Dec. 6, the commemoration ceremony will focus on the presentation of a special bell from Italy.

    Sen. Prezioso and Marianne Moran are serving as the contacts for the event.  Prezioso can be reached at 304-366-5308 and Moran at 304-368-1123.

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