Former congressman Ken Hechler visited Edison Middle School and Parkersburg South High School on Wednesday, including speaking with the public at Parkersburg South as part of a public meet-and-greet.
Hechler has been a fixture in national and state politics since just after World War II when he served as a White House assistant to President Harry S. Truman from 1949-53. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia from 1959-77 and also held the office of West Virginia secretary of state from 1985-91.
Hechler now lives in Charleston and has spent many years active in politics, speaking on mountaintop mining issues and talking about his wartime experiences and Germany's reconstruction efforts after World War II.
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Ken Hechler visits local schools.
While at Edison, students and staff sang to Hechler in honor of his 96th birthday, which occurred Sept. 20. A video of the event is posted at www.newsandsentinel.com.
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Photo by Michael Erb
Ken Hechler meets with members of the public Wednesday during a meet-and-greet at Parkersburg South High School. Hechler’s visit was sponsored by the Parkersburg South H.E.L.P. (Help Earth Live Peacefully) Club.
