HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 57
(By Delegate Caputo, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson, and Delegates
Boggs, Butcher, Campbell, Eldridge, Fragale, Hall, Klempa,
Kominar, Lawrence, Mahan, Miley, Morgan, Paxton, Perry, Phillips,
D. Poling, Ross, Shaver, Skaff, Stephens, Stowers, Swartzmiller
and Varner)
[Introduced April 2, 2009.]
Requesting the Governor adopt a "West Virginia Coal Miner
Appreciation Day" in the State of West Virginia.
Whereas, Coal miners are hard-working, dedicated, and loyal
West Virginians who work to provide for their families; and
Whereas, Coal mining accounts for over 60,000 direct and
indirect jobs in the West Virginia labor workforce; and
Whereas, Coal Miners expose themselves to dangerous risks
everyday when they go to work; and
Whereas, Twenty-Six (26) West Virginia counties produce coal;
and
Whereas,
99% of the electricity in West Virginia comes from
coal; and
Whereas, Coal is responsible for more than $3.5 billion
annually in gross state product; and
Whereas, Coal Miners are a vital asset to the State of
West Virginia not only as laborers but as devoted citizens because
they are known to stay in the state and economically support their communities, education programs, and their respective counties; and
Whereas, the safety of miners is of paramount concern and
should be addressed through rigorous enforcement of existing mine
safety and health administration (MSHA) regulations; and
Whereas, environmental challenges that face the coal industry
should be addressed by enforcement of existing regulations that
have been ignored by mine companies to the detriment of miners,
miners' families, and mining communities; and
Whereas, West Virginia should adhere to the federal regulations
and enforcement of them while adopting new approaches in favor of
the environment; and
Whereas, that the West Virginia Young Democrats support clean
coal technology which will increase the need of laborers such as
coal miners; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Young Democrats recognize the mining
tragedies that have affected the West Virginia Coal miners and
there families; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia Legislature recognizes the West
Virginia Young Democrats support for Coal Miners and their
families, respect their occupation, and urge the West Virginia
Legislature to request the Governor to name "West Virginia Coal
Miner Appreciation Day"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of the State of
West Virginia, the United Mine Workers of America, the West Virginia Congressional Delegation.