[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 134 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              KEN HECHLER

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President: I rise today to salute a true 
Renaissance man, a great light in both national and West Virginia 
history: former Congressman Ken Hechler. Having recently celebrated the 
50th anniversary of the World War II crossing of the Ludendorff Bridge 
at Remagen, Germany, it is fitting now to honor this combat historian 
and decorated officer who enshrined his memories of the victory in our 
hearts forever. However, heroism was not only his to behold and 
chronicle. Winning five battle stars and a Bronze Star in the European 
theater of the war, Ken Hechler is a hero of the West Virginia people.
  A dedicated servant of the United States in time of war and peace, he 
left both a Princeton teaching career and his talented pen to serve 
under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman as researcher and speechwriter, 
then joined the Stevenson campaign. Serving in Congress from 1959 to 
1977, Congressman Hechler was, in a short time, heralded for his 
integrity and noted by many as one of the most effective and insightful 
Members in the House. It should be noted that, although born in New 
York, in adopting West Virginia as his new native State, he 
demonstrated that he was very wise as well.
  Ken Hechler gave voice to the voiceless among his West Virginia 
constituents. Fighting tirelessly for the rights of impoverished miners 
in the Appalachian coal fields, he decried the terrible conditions in 
the mines, calling them criminal. He struggled for mine safety 
legislation, unwilling to appease others unwilling to work toward 
change. After the Farmington and other mine disasters, arising from the 
tears of miners' widows, he helped enact the Mine Safety and Health Act 
of 1969.
  His criticism of the mining conditions did not end there, however, as 
he became a strong advocate of environmental protection, railing 
against rampant pollution in West Virginia and strengthening 
legislation to improve air quality in the Nation. He crusaded against 
strip mining, helped protect wilderness areas, and in perhaps his 
greatest achievement, saved West Virginia's New River, the oldest river 
in North America, from a proposed dam project.
  With a profound sense of history, love of honor, and independence of 
thought, Congressman Hechler throughout his career inspired many with 
his character and endeavors. After leaving Congress, he resumed 
teaching at Marshall University, served twice as a delegate to the 
Democratic National Convention, and began to write again. In 1984, he 
was elected secretary of state of West Virginia, a position he still 
holds today.
  It is not often that we have the opportunity to laud such a great 
public figure as Ken Hechler. A consummate politician, he has been a 
consummate citizen as well. West Virginia is grateful to Dr. Hechler: 
he has kept hope in the hearts of the downtrodden and toiled for 
election reform for the public interest. The needs, financial and 
emotional, of his electorate were foremost in his social conscience. A 
true maverick, his life of selfless service is legend.
  (At the request of Mr. Daschle, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record:)

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