Opening his talk by touching on the state of our state before delivering a message on what he hopes will be his legacy to children, Governor Manchin’s asserted that it’s time for West Virginians to be owners instead of renters during the Stop the Hurt Dinner at the Welch Armory Saturday night.
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.
“In West Virginia, we’re the envy of the whole world. They just don’t know it yet,” he said.
Having spent the earlier part of the day participating in a motorcycle run in the Iaeger area, the governor apologized for his casual attire, and then went on to deliver an upbeat message that drew a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd.
 “I know how good you are,” he said, in describing West Virginians in general. 
The state’s biggest challenge, the governor said, involves shedding the renter mentality and learning to take ownership.
Taking ownership will help to attract investments to the state, which will create jobs and a cash flow. The jobs will help to keep our young people here, which is something that he is fighting to do.
The governor said he does not understand the divisive attitudes he sometimes encounters between labor and business.
“We’re in it together. We have to have that mentality,” he said.
Thirty-five states in the nation are now facing financial difficulty, but West Virginia has fared better, the governor said.  West Virginia has had a surplus and the state has still managed to lower taxes for the past three years. West Virginia’s economy is growing and jobs have been created.
In commenting on the local economy, Manchin said McDowell County has as many economic development projects underway as almost anywhere in West Virginia.
Three things are needed to be successful, he said, with those being a product, value and serviceability.
 West Virginia is a geographically appealing product because the state is located within in one day’s drive of 160 million people. West Virginia has the lowest energy cost in the U.S. The state’s natural beauty, the work ethic of the people and a good education system combine to make West Virginia very valuable.
“Are you a renter or an owner?” the governor asked. “If you want to be an owner, you’ve got to get involved.”
Stressing there is nothing more precious than a child, Manchin said that he would like to be “thought of” as a governor who delivered five promises to children.
Number one: Every child must have a loving, caring adult in his/her life.
Number two: Every child must have a safe place.
Number three: Every child must have a healthy start
Number four: Every child must be taught a livable skill.
Number five: Calling it “the hardest promise”, the governor said that each child must be taught to become a loving, caring adult, who gives something back to society.

McDowell County Assistant Prosecutor Ed Kornish also received a standing ovation when he took center stage, following Governor Manchin’s remarks. Kornish, who has just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, reminded the audience to support Stop the Hurt, which is the local child advocacy program for abused and sexually abused children.

Kornish then followed his own advice and made a generous donation to the program on behalf of himself and his wife Angel. Stop the Hurt coordinator Carmella Fredrick accepted the donation on behalf of the program.
He explained that Stop the Hurt has been a decade in coming to fruition. The program has just established a center a Maitland, but the facility is not furnished or staffed.
“Stop the Hurt is a place to fix broken kids,” Kornish said. “We’ve been working on it for 10 years…We need money to furnish it and operate it.”
Child abuse, Kornish said, exists nationwide to varying degrees in all socioeconomic classes. “The problem (in West Virginia) is no better or no worse than any other state in the nation. It happens everywhere,” he said.
Chamber of Commerce President Reba Honaker, Congressman Nick Rahall, volunteer Cathy Patton and emcee Harold McBride also made brief remarks during the evening. Raymond’s Catering prepared the meal.
Sponsors of the event included Omar and Weena Aboulhosn, Senator Truman Chafin, Sen. John Fanning, MCNB Banks, Clark Construction, Cucumber & Company, Flowers by Jenny, Wade Duvall, Eddie Asbury, and Harold and Vicky McBride, Ruth Ann Urps and Commissioner Carl Urps.
Sponsor Cathy Jack and the Mt. View High School Interact Club served as waiters.
The Rev. Clay Phillips, First Baptist Church, Welch, gave the invocation.

GOVERNOR IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER  - Governor Joe Manchin was the keynote speaker at the Stop the Hurt Gala at the Welch Armory Saturday night. Both the governor and hometown hero and Assistant Prosecutor Eddie Kornish received standing ovations   when they spoke. Pictured with the governor are County Commissioner Gordon Lambert,  Ed Kornish, Jim Sizemore and Harold McBride. (Photo by Cathy Patton)

VOLUNTEERS - These volunteers who assisted with the Stop the Hurt Gala Saturday night helped to make the event the success that it was. Pictured are Fred Odum, Tony Larkin, Vesta Larkin and Charles Honaker. (Photo by Cathy Patton)