Harley Orrin Staggers

Harley Orrin Staggers, Sr. (August 3, 1907 – August 20, 1991) was a Democratic U.S. politician. He was born in Keyser, Mineral County, West Virginia, August 3, 1907. He was the father of Harley Orrin Staggers, Jr. Staggers served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was U.S. Representative from West Virginia (2nd District) from 1949-1981, and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. He was delegate to the Democratic National Convention from West Virginia in 1960. He died August 20, 1991.The Staggers-Casey family has been and still remains one of the most influential political families in West Virginia politics, and is closely associated with working-class Democratic values. [Bryan Staggers]

The town and surviving family of Staggers honored him by naming the section of Water Street that runs beside New Creek, in front of the middle school and vocational center, and in front of the bridge to his residence "Harley O. Staggers, Sr. Drive." His daughter Mary Kaye Staggers is a professor at Potomac State College of West Virginia University, and his two sons, Harley O. Staggers, Jr. and Daniel Staggers practice law there. Harley, Jr. was also a member of congress before West Virginia redistricted. His daughter, Margaret Anne "Peggy" Staggers, who resides in Beckley, WV, is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Staggers attended Emory and Henry College and did graduate work at Duke University.

First Amendment

On June 10, 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Nixon Administration could not block the New York Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers. The following July 12, Staggers ordered CBS News to hand over film not used in the documentary "Selling of the Pentagon." According to Staggers this was the only way to know if the documentary had been accurately edited. The president of CBS News, Frank Stanton, said he would go to jail before complying with Staggers' subpoenas. The House supported Stanton and forced Staggers to back down.

Illegal Drugs in Sports

On May 11, 1973 the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce which was chaired by Staggers issued a press release [http://reform.democrats.house.gov/documents/20050317132127-66425.pdf] summarizing the results of an investigation that determined illegal drug use existed in all level of sports. The investigation also described the degree of use, including steroids and amphetamines, as alarming.

Legislation

*Staggers Rail Act

External links

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* [http://www.nndb.com/people/388/000129998/ NNDB Profile]