For more than thirty years the camera had enabled me to do meaningful work. Starting in the Appalachian coal fields, and continuing through the years over a broad spectrum of industries and regions of the country, I have observed and documented the working lives of Americans. Standing behind the lens, I have celebrated the accomplishments, the pride and the skill of coal miners and community leaders. I continually seek out those who are taking steps to improve their lives, and use the camera to engage them by giving testimony to their achievement. The images that result tell of the satisfactions their work brings as well as its challenging aspects. I am honored to present my images with the telling photographs Russell Lee created of coal miners and their families 60 years ago.

As a photographer, I am aware that the lives of my subjects are often far harsher and more difficult than those of my viewers. To bridge this gap, I look for common ground that my subject's in the photographs share with those who gaze upon them. To succeed, often I need only to capture the West Virginia citizen's desire for dignity and self-respect. My goal is not just to touch those viewers who are already supportive of my subject's circumstances, but to command the attention of those who might normally pass them by. When I walk through a mountain community, a coal mine, a school or community center, I find myself drawn to those individuals who emanate a sense of personal worth and belonging to the human family. I hope I have represented you honestly in this exhibit.

Thank you

I wish to express my gratitude to Wheeling Jesuit University's Clifford M. Lewis, S.J., Appalachian Institute. In particular to Davitt McAteer, a friend to coal miners everywhere; to Jill Kriesky, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Appalachian Institute, as well as her able colleague, Fr. Brian O'Donnell. To them I am particularly appreciative for their encouragement, support and advice. Finally, this exhibit would not have been possible without financial support from the West Virginia Humanities Council, for which I am most grateful.

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