[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S6086]]
 THE OPENING OF A NEW HATFIELD-McCOY TRAIL HONORING THE FOUNDER, LEFF 
                                 MOORE

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, monumental achievements are 
the work of visionary people. On the celebratory occasion marking the 
opening of a new 100-mile section of the Hatfield-McCoy recreational 
trail in Wyoming County, it is important to take the time to honor the 
visionary behind this monumental accomplishment, the late O.L. ``Leff'' 
Moore. Leff Moore was one of the wisest men I have ever had the great 
pleasure of knowing, and I consider it an honor to call him my dear 
friend. I had a habit of calling him ``Uncle Leff''. He just had that 
affect on people. He had this unique way of encouraging and inspiring 
people to come together and do great work for their communities. It was 
rare to hear a negative word from Leff. He was an optimistic who truly 
thought ahead of his time.
  Leff was a driving force in the West Virginia Democratic Party, a 
life-long civil servant, and a tireless advocate for the safe operation 
of recreational vehicles. A deep love for the Mountain State ran 
through everything Leff did in his life, and his commitment to public 
service was evidenced by the numerous boards and committees he served 
on. His vision and leadership were widely respected in Putnam County, 
and his efforts contributed greatly to the area's growth and success. 
In recognition for his work, Leff was the only two-time recipient of 
the respected Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Mayo Lester Award.
  Born in 1943, the son of Orville L. Moore, Sr. and Margaret Peyton 
Moore, Leff graduated Winfield High School and West Virginia State 
College. He served as the executive director of the West Virginia 
Manufactured Housing Association for more than 30 years where he helped 
write the policies and set the laws that will govern safe housing 
practices in West Virginia for future generations.
  When his beloved Putnam County started growing rapidly in the 1970's, 
Leff's vision and determination led to the establishment of Putnam 
General Hospital, and planning measures brought public water and sewer 
to aid in the county's growth.
  Leff's most stunning success, though, may be the Hatfield-McCoy 
Regional Recreation Authority trail system in southern West Virginia, 
which is breathing to new life into an entire region's economy. Over a 
decade ago when many of us had no idea what ATV's were, Leff somehow 
knew how popular they would become and saw the potential of marrying 
ATV's to West Virginia's scenic beauty. With little more than a VHS 
tape of a Utah trail and his gift for articulating ideas in a way that 
excited people, he sold even the most skeptical on the benefits of a 
recreational trail that will eventually reach into Kentucky and 
Virginia.
  Southern West Virginia has already begun to feel the impact of Leff's 
vision for the trail as more and more out-of-State tourist dollars flow 
into the mountains of Mingo, Logan and Boone counties. During the last 
fiscal year, trail riders bought nearly $400,000 in trail permits, and 
this year, the Regional Recreation Authority expects that number to 
rise 25 to 31 percent. The average visitor who comes to take advantage 
of the Hatfield-McCoy trails spends between $250 and $500 during a 3-
day stay.
  Even at a conservative estimate, that translates into nearly $1 
million tourist dollars injected into the local economy every month. 
These visitors to Southern West Virginia stay in local hotels and eat 
at local restaurants, many of which have sprung up to feed the growing 
tourist trade.
  Leff's plan to stimulate the Southern West Virginia economy and 
showcase the beauty of the Mountain State has certainly been a 
resounding triumph thus far, and the potential for further expansion is 
limitless. The addition of this new section of trail brings the total 
system up to 500 miles across 4 different counties. I look forward to 
the day when Leff's original vision of over 2,000 miles of trails over 
all of Appalachia becomes a reality.
  Soon, I will participate in the grand opening of the Wyoming County 
section of the Trail, and I am very happy about what it will mean for 
the area. I am also proud of all the Wyoming County officials who 
worked so hard to make the Trail a reality, but there will be a deep 
sadness in my heart as I miss my friend Leff Moore. I am comforted, 
however, because I know that his passion and vision for the people of 
West Virginia will guarantee that he is never forgotten in the hearts 
of many communities. I know that as his vision continues to expand into 
a reality, the legacy of Leff Moore will live on for a long time in 
many positive ways for West Virginia.

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