HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION XX

(By Delegates Guthrie, Caputo and Rowe)

[Introduced ]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 20-77-83.84 (20A615), located at latitude 38.19560, longitude -81.47926, which carries Interstate 64 and Interstate 77 over Route 79/3, also known as Cabin Creek Road, in Kanawha County, the “Arnold Miller Memorial Bridge.”

Whereas, Arnold Miller was born on April 25, 1923, in the mining community of Cherokee in Cabin Creek, Kanawha County to Lula Burgess Hoy and George Miller; and

Whereas, Arnold Miller left school after completing the ninth grade and began his career in the labor sector in the timber industry, before moving to the mining industry at the age of sixteen, loading coal carts in the same mine his grandfather worked in. He became involved with the local United Mine Workers union, during this time as well; and

Whereas, Arnold Miller enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1940, where he served valiantly as a Private First Class for his country as a machine gunner and took part in the Normandy invasion of Europe, where he was severely wounded. Arnold Miller was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart during his service to his country and the State of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Arnold Miller returned from World War II to marry Virginia Brown in 1948, having three children, instilling in them values such as honesty and hard work, which he showed them by leading through example throughout his life. Arnold Miller was passionate about caring for others less fortunate than himself and was an avid outdoorsman. He worked in the mines of Cabin Creek for twenty-four years, until succumbing to black-lung disease; and

Whereas, Arnold Miller led the charge for the first “black-lung bill” in the United States, giving miners safer conditions in which to work in the 1969 session of the West Virginia State Legislature. Miller also created the West Virginia Black Lung Association, of which he was also president and carried the fight to the federal level for the creation of the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1973; and

Whereas, His presidency of the WVBLA led the way for Arnold Miller to challenge for the presidency of the United Mine Workers of America union in 1972, becoming the first native West Virginian to lead the organization; and

Whereas, The UMWA instituted several reforms during Arnold Miller’s presidency, protecting miner’s rights, increasing democratic practices within local unions, and expanding the practice of collective bargaining; and

Whereas, Arnold Miller resigned the presidency of the UMWA in 1979, before passing away on July 12, 1985. Many of the reforms he brought to the UMWA are still in practice today, highlighting Arnold Miller’s profound impact on the union and the mining industry; and

Whereas, Arnold Miller’s contribution to the State of West Virginia, the United Mine Workers of America, and to miners across the country should be commemorated in an enduring memorial to preserve his legacy; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 20-77-83.84 (20A615), located at latitude 38.19560, longitude -81.47926, which carries Interstate 64 and Interstate 77 over Route 79/3, also known as Cabin Creek Road, in Kanawha County, the “Arnold Miller Memorial Bridge;” and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the “Arnold Miller Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to Larry and Vickie Miller.