HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20

(By Delegates Louisos, Pino and Perry)

[Introduced January 31, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to erect a road sign on State Route 61 out of Oak Hill near Beardsfork Hollow, Fayette County, West Virginia, honoring Walter "Mike" South former President of the Black Lung Association.

Whereas, Walter "Mike" South, L. U. 8843 member, passed away on July 19, 2001, at age 54 following a two decade battle with black lung disease; and
Whereas, "Mike" South had served as president of the National Black Lung Association until a few years before his death, and was a leading advocate for coal miners who also suffered daily with this disease; he testified numerous times in this nation's capitol and was present at most rallies to support protecting and increasing state and federal black lung benefits; and
Whereas, It has been said that the passion, dedication and social consciousness Walter "Mike" South brought to all coal miners throughout the black lung community will never be forgotten, and his spirit and dream for justice for all victims of black lung disease will never be forgotten, and will continue on in those lives whom he touched; and
Whereas, It is only right and just to honor the efforts of
Walter "Mike" South for his dedication to the people of his home State, in general, and for his work in seeking equitable and fair treatment of all coal miners with black lung disease by dedicating and erecting a road sign on State Route 61 out of Oak Hill near Beardsfork Hollow, Fayette County, West Virginia ; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby expresses its profound sorrow and heart-felt sympathy upon the passing of Walter "Mike" South, and requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to dedicate and erect a road sign on State Route 61 out of Oak Hill near Beardsfork Hollow, Fayette County, West Virginia, honoring and recognizing Walter "Mike" South Black Lung Advocate and former president of the Black Lung Association; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to the surviving relatives of Walter "Mike" South.