Committee Substitute

for

HOUSE RESOLUTION 24

(By Fleishchauer, Pethtel, Hansen, Williams, Walker, Statler, Summers, Garcia, Ward, G., Mallow, Sypolt, Jennings, Barach, Barnhart, Bates, Boggs, Brown, Conley, Cooper, Diserio, Doyle, Evans, Fluharty, Griffith, Hamrick, Hanna, Hornbuckle, Lovejoy, Pushkin, Skaff, Smith, Young, Zatezalo, and Zukoff)

[Originating in the Committee on Rules; Reported on April 8, 2021]

Urging the Governor of West Virginia to form a task force with our congressional representatives, labor organizations, industry leaders, and economic development representatives to utilize the Morgantown plant at the Chestnut Ridge facility of the former Mylan Pharmaceuticals to produce, manufacture, package, and ship critical, life-saving medical supplies including vaccines, medications, and personal protective equipment, to save the lives of our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Whereas, The State of West Virginia and the entire United States currently face a severe shortage of medical supplies, including life-saving vaccines, medications, and personal protective equipment, which are vital in responding to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic; and

Whereas, It is critical that the State of West Virginia utilize its citizens, resources, and facilities to their maximum potential to defeat the COVID-19 virus and protect the health, safety, and welfare of our friends and neighbors; and

Whereas, The Morgantown plant at the Chestnut Ridge facility of the former Mylan Pharmaceuticals, a vital facility, is scheduled to shut down on July 31, 2021; and

Whereas, This vital facility could be quickly repurposed to produce life-saving medical supplies including COVID-19 vaccines, medications, and personal protective equipment, while also preserving over 1,500 West Virginian jobs; and

Whereas, West Virginians always answer the call for assistance from our nation, whether that means service in our armed forces, producing the energy needed to power our homes, or stepping up to do our part in responding to all types of emergencies, local and national; and

Whereas, The employees of the Morgantown plant at the Chestnut Ridge facility of the former Mylan Pharmaceuticals will rise to this new challenge and continue their decades of proven labor, and their mission of saving the lives of not only West Virginians but all Americans; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates hereby urges Governor of West Virginia to form a task force with our congressional representatives, labor organizations, industry leaders, and economic development representatives to utilize the Morgantown plant at the Chestnut Ridge facility of the former Mylan Pharmaceuticals to produce, manufacture, package, and ship critical, life-saving medical supplies including vaccines, medications, and personal protective equipment, to save the lives of our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens; and, be it 

Further Resolved, That the Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia, the Honorable James C. Justice II.