President John F. Kennedy
1917-1963 While campaigning for the presidency in 1960, Kennedy toured West Virginia extensively, promising constituents to support economic aid programs for the region. He signed the Area Redevelopment Act into law and created the forerunner of the Appalachian Regional Commission. |
Congresswoman Maude Elizabeth Kee
1895-1975 West Virginia's first female congressional representative, Elizabeth Kee served a district which covered a significant portion of the state's southern coalfields. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Kee advocated for an aid program that would prop-up local businesses and create employment opportunities in economically depressed regions like Appalachia. Her program became the impetus for the Area Redevelopment Act of 1961. |
Senator Jennings Randolph
1902-1998 The chief supporter of the Appalachian Redevelopment Act in the U.S. Senate, West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph led the fight to gain bi-partisan support for the legislation in 1964 and 65. As an influential member and later chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works, Senator Randolph utilized the ARC structure to secure federal support for major infrastructure projects throughout West Virginia. Earlier in his career, Randolph was a member of the House of Representatives during the Great Depression when President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs were passed by Congress. |
Senator John Sherman Cooper
1901-1991 Kentucky senator John Sherman Cooper co-sponsored the Appalachian Regional Development Act with West Virginia Senator Randolph in 1964 and 65. Throughout his senatorial career, Senator Cooper supported federal economic development agencies including the ARC as well as the Tennessee Valley Authority. His efforts on behalf of the ARC ensured bi-partisan support of the program during its formative years. |
Congressman Robert E. Jones, Jr.
1912-1997 Representing the now-obsolete eighth district in Alabama, Congressman Jones served the northern region of the state which fell within the area federally-designated as Appalachia. An influential member and chairman of the House Committee on Public Works, Congressman Jones, along with his colleague from Tennessee Congressman Evins, was a staunch supporter for the ARC bill in the House of Representatives. |
President Lyndon B. Johnson
1908-1973 After President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, President Johnson pledged his support for the Appalachian economic development plan that had begun under his predecessor. President Johnson incorporated the Appalachian Regional Development Act into his larger War on Poverty, a pillar of the Great Society. On March 9, 1965, President Johnson signed the Appalachian Regional Development Act into law. |
Senator Robert C. Byrd
1917-2010 Alongside Senator Randolph, West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd was closely involved with the crafting of the Appalachian Regional Development Act. Once the legislation was signed into law, Senator Byrd used his position on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee to ensure the ARC received funding and to channel billions of dollars in federal aid to his home state. Senator Byrd also became the chief voice of support for the ARC each time the legislation came up for reauthorization in Congress. |