The Charleston Area Alliance yesterday provided and hosted a trip to those who were available to visit Sen. Jay Rockefeller for a reception following the swearing in for his fifth term. In addition to beginning this next term in the Senate, he moves from the Senate Intelligence Committee to chair the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Along on the trip were County Commissioner and Alliance Board Member Dave Hardy; Anne Cavalier, Honorary Alliance Board Member, Mayor Dick Calloway, CAA Board; Sally Smith, CAA Board; Wayne Morgan President of WV American Water; Deborah Wanger, IVS Group; Scott Hardy, Virginia Tech student and son of David Hardy; and Sarah McLean, WVU Student working in DC and niece of Sally Smith who met us in DC. Alliance President Matt Ballard, along with Mike Aeiker, Andrew Dunlap and Danny Forinash, also made the trip.

The group travelled in two vans, leaving at 6:30 a.m. and returning at 1 a.m. The long day was worthwhile.

It meant a great deal to the Alliance to have such a great group in attendance for an important moment in public policy in Washington and to honor the West Virginia Senator who will Chair one of this moment's most important committees.