[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6483]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          KENTUCKY RIVER COAL CORPORATION'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2015

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of 
the 100th Anniversary of the Kentucky River Coal Corporation, marking a 
major milestone in its long and important history in the Commonwealth 
of Kentucky.
  Kentucky River Coal Corporation was formed in April 1915, creating a 
land company with a large ownership of land, timber, coal, oil and gas 
and other minerals in eastern Kentucky. Congregating larger boundaries 
of mineral properties made possible the arduous construction and 
development of the first railroad into eastern Kentucky and resulted in 
mineral extraction entities employing thousands of people in the 
region.
  As with most American companies and people, Kentucky River Coal 
Corporation struggled through the Great Depression, but stood strong 
through the First and Second World Wars, providing the natural resource 
base that literally helped power America. Timber from its properties 
was used in the early manufacturing of automobile parts, like wooden 
spokes, as well as for housing across the country. With the discovery 
of oil and natural gas, Kentucky River Coal Corporation's lands again 
produced important resources to power the nation.
  Through the decades since its formation, Kentucky River Coal 
Corporation has been a model corporate citizen in Kentucky, paying 
millions of dollars in taxes, and donating to various worthwhile 
causes. Through its charitable outreach, Kentucky River Coal 
Corporation has consistently funded important educational programs, 
established scholarships for students, and made donations to many 
institutions of higher learning across the state. The company has 
played an instrumental role in supporting local volunteer fire 
departments, helping them meet regulatory standards with training and 
equipment. In effort to support tourism in our region, the company 
partnered with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife to return 
the majestic Elk to eastern Kentucky, where the herd now thrives, 
providing a model for successful reintroduction of wildlife.
  Additionally, Kentucky River Coal Corporation joined with Operation 
UNITE to provide over $500,000 in much-needed funding to assist with 
substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation. Hundreds of families 
across the region, devastated by a loved one suffering from addiction, 
have expressed gratitude for the opportunity for treatment that they 
otherwise could not afford.
  Over its 100 year history, Kentucky River Coal Corporation's lessees 
have produced over 580 million tons of high quality central Appalachian 
coal used for decades in electrical generation and manufacturing across 
the nation. About one out of every 130 tons of coal produced in the 
United States over the past 100 years came from Kentucky River Coal 
Corporation. Over its history, the company has returned millions of 
dollars in taxes to governments, paid salaries to employees, provided 
contributions to various charitable and educational institutions, and 
paid distributions to the shareholders located throughout the United 
States, generating untold economic benefits to communities and 
shareholders across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this great 
milestone for the Kentucky River Coal Corporation. I believe this 
company is poised for continued growth and success in the natural 
resources sector, providing energy for a strong America.

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