Celebrating Our Independence Day

The Declaration of Independence, penned and signed on July 4, 1776, etched into history the birth of a nation that stood for freedom, for equality, and for the tireless pursuit of happiness. That document founded the greatest country civilization has ever seen, whose liberty and boundless opportunity remains to this day the envy of the world.

The preservation of these ideals would not have been possible were it not for the generations of brave men and women in the armed forces who have dedicated their lives to keeping this country safe and, most importantly, free. While a celebration is in order, we cannot overlook the debt we owe to each of these individuals and their families, a debt we can only pay back by standing up every day for the American ideals they fought to protect.

Politics can often divide us, and limit who we associate with based on who is red and who is blue. But on the 4th, we get to celebrate the collective red, white, and blue. We are united through our collective upward gaze at the fireworks that paint the sky in celebratory explosions of light and color. We are united in our gratitude for those who have bravely served our nation and their families. We are united through the aroma of barbeque in neighborhoods all across the country. We are united as one people, and as one nation.

So let every flag that flies and community that gathers be a reminder of the freedom this country declared for itself more than 240 years ago, of the freedom that has allowed us to come so far as a country since that day, and of the freedom that allows us to move forward to where we have yet to go. I wish each of you a happy and safe Independence Day.

Upcoming Events

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

Manchin marches in the Ripley 4^th of July Grand Parade

When: 12 p.m.

Where: Main Street, Ripley

What: Senator Manchin will march in the Ripley 4^th of July Grand Parade.

SATURDAY, JULY 7

Manchin delivers remarks at the West Virginia Legend Annual Dinner in Beckley

When: 12 p.m.

Where: Beckley Moose Lodge, 410 New River Drive, Beckley

What: Senator Manchin will deliver remarks at the West Virginia Legend Annual Dinner in Beckley.

2018 Job Fairs  

  Please be sure to check out my website because more may be added throughout the year.   

Click here for more. 

Martinsburg

WHAT: Regional Job & Resource Fair  

WHEN: September 26   

Employer Registration:  

Christy Sieg or Carolyn Jefferson  

304-267-0065 ext. 59508 (Sieg) or ext.59507 (Jefferson)  

Christy.l.sieg@wv.gov or Carolyn.r.jefferson@wv.gov  

Parkersburg

WHAT: MOV Career & Resource Fair  

WHEN: September 28   

WHERE: WVU-Parkersburg  

Employer Registration:  

Jennifer Randolph  

304-424-8246  

jennifer.randolph@wvup.edu   

Fairmont

WHAT: Regional Job Fair  

WHEN: October 12   

WHERE: Robert Mollohan Research Center, High Technology Foundation  

Employer Registration:  

Lori Turner  

304-363-0654 ext. 51258  

lori.l.turner@wv.gov  

Manchin Mobile Monday 

Every Monday, my staff members are available in easily accessed locations across the state to assist with constituent services and to take your thoughts and concerns directly back to me.  Below are next week's times and locations for Monday, July 9.  

Iaeger

McDowell County Library

4299 Coal Heritage Road

Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

Staff: Mike Browning

Spencer

Roane County Public Library

110 Parking Plaza 

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. 

Staff: Justin Ray

To invite the Senator to your event, click here.

From the Hill to the Mountains

Senate Passes Manchin Bill to Build Jennings Randolph Hydroelectric Project in Mineral County

I have always supported an all-of-the-above energy portfolio and this hydroelectric project is an important investment in the energy infrastructure in Mineral County and the surrounding communities. This project will generate enough domestic energy to power over 6,000 homes and create additional jobs for the region.

The Jennings Randolph Dam (a.k.a. Bloomington Lake Dam) lies on the North Branch of the Potomac River along the border of West Virginia and Maryland. This rock and impervious material dam is over 350 feet tall and was built in the mid-1980s for flood control and recreation by the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Fairlawn Hydroelectric Company LLC (FHC), a subsidiary of Advanced Hydro Solutions LLC, has received an original license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the project.

Manchin Demands DeVos Follow Congressional Intent for Trio

I was joined by 16 Senators to demand U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos stop preventing first-generation college students from getting an education. To read the full letter, click here.

In March, Congress passed a budget bill that included a six percent increase in funding for TRIO Programs, which provide low-income, first generation college students with the support, resources, and guidance they need to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and earn a degree. This increase, which amounted to $60 million, could be distributed among the 3,100 local TRIO programs that currently assist more than 800,000 students nationwide.

Instead, Secretary DeVos announced she would be distributing less than half of the additional funding to current TRIO grant recipients. The rest of the funding would be allocated through an intensive application process open to only a fraction of current grant recipients.