SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 16

(By Senators Love, Hunter, Ball, Schoonover, Anderson, Fanning, Ross, Bailey, Wooton, Jackson, Walker, Chafin, Craigo, Snyder, Dittmar, Bowman, Macnaughtan, White, Sharpe, Oliverio, Sprouse, McKenzie, Buckalew, Kimble, Minear, Prezioso, Plymale, Helmick and Tomblin, Mr. President)

Requesting the Governor of West Virginia to issue a proclamation designating Tuesday, April 1, 1997, as "Coal Miners' Memorial Day".

Whereas, Since the beginning of West Virginia's statehood in 1863, coal mining has been a major economic and employment force in West Virginia, adding to the prosperity of all West Virginians; and
Whereas, Coal miners are the backbone of the coal industry and have extracted over eleven billion tons of coal since 1863; and
Whereas, The blood, sweat and tears of West Virginia's coal miners have made our state's coal mining industry a viable force on the worldwide market; and
Whereas, Since 1863 coal mine injuries in West Virginia have totaled nearly five hundred thousand; and
Whereas, Since 1863 nearly twenty-one thousand coal miners have given their lives in the production of coal in the state of West Virginia; and
Whereas, A statewide tribute to West Virginia's coal miners, especially those who have given their lives, is long overdue; and
Whereas, Coal miners across the nation observe April 1 of each year as a holiday in observance of John L. Lewis, the celebrated American who served as president of the United Mine Workers of America; and
Whereas, In tribute to the nearly twenty-one thousand coal miners who have given their lives in the coal-mining industry in West Virginia, it would be fitting to recognize them on April 1, 1997, and to also recognize this day as "Coal Miners' Memorial Day"; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby requests the Ggovernor of West Virginia issue a proclamation proclaiming Tuesday, April 1, 1997, as "Coal Miners' Memorial Day" as a fitting tribute to the memory of the many coal miners who have given their lives for the prosperity of all West Virginians; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Cecil H. Underwood, Ggovernor of the state of West Virginia.