SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 24
(By Senators Prezioso, Oliverio, Mitchell, McKenzie, Ross, Sharpe, Kessler, Minard, Helmick, Edgell, Fanning, Dittmar, Anderson, Bowman, Plymale, Walker, Jackson, Craigo, Bailey, Chafin, Wooton, Schoonover, Love, Ball, Hunter, Unger, Redd, McCabe, Sprouse, Minear, Boley and Tomblin, Mr. President)

Requesting the placement of a statue of a West Virginia coal miner on the grounds of the state capitol as a reminder of the impact of the coal industry on the state.

Whereas, Since 1863, West Virginia has mined nearly twelve billion tons of coal; and
Whereas, No state in the country has been more dominated by one product or natural resource than West Virginia has by coal; and
Whereas, Since the beginning of coal mining in the early 1800s, the economy, welfare and political life of West Virginia has been largely dependent upon the coal industry; and
Whereas, Coal contributes over $3.5 billion in gross state product to West Virginia and accounts for nearly 13 percent of the state's total gross product; and
Whereas, West Virginia's coal industry employed over 21,000 West Virginians in 1996 and an additional 60,000 persons are employed in the state as a result of the indirect benefits of the coal industry on the state's economy which generates another $1.3 billion dollars in payroll; and
Whereas, The coal industry paid $1,981,711,636 in West Virginia severance taxes in 1996; and
Whereas, West Virginia coal is shipped to thirty-three states and the District of Columbia and to twenty-three separate countries all over the world; and
Whereas, A monument to West Virginia's coal miners would also serve as a lasting memorial to the many who have perished as a result of coal mining in the state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests a statue, to be dedicated as "The West Virginia Coal Miner", be placed on the grounds of the
state capitol in tribute to West Virginia's coal legacy, historical importance and economic impact of the coal industry in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the State of West Virginia shall seek contributions from coal-producing companies and the United Mine Workers of America to fund the creation of the statue; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the development and creation of "The West Virginia Coal Miner", should be completed to the extent possible without the use of public funds.