[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 470 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 470

   Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the date of enactment of the 
            Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 25, 2010

   Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Byrd, and Mr. Harkin) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the date of enactment of the 
            Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.

Whereas the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (30 U.S.C. 801 et 
        seq.), when enacted, provided more comprehensive protections for the 
        health and safety of coal miners than any previous Federal legislation 
        governing the mining industry;
Whereas the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969--

    (1) increased the Federal oversight powers for coal mines in the United 
States;

    (2) included inspection provisions for surface and underground coal 
mines that required--

    G    (A) 2 inspections of each surface coal mine each year; and

    G    (B) 4 inspections of each underground coal mine each year;

    (3) required the development of stronger health and safety standards 
for coal mines;

    (4) provided compensation for coal miners permanently disabled by black 
lung disease, the progressive respiratory disease caused by the inhalation 
of fine coal dust; and

    (5) held employers of coal miners accountable for health and safety 
violations in the workplace through--

    G    (A) monetary penalties for all violations of health and safety 
standards in the workplace; and

    G    (B) criminal penalties for knowing and willful violations of 
health and safety standards in the workplace;

Whereas, as a direct result of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 
        1969--

    (1) health standards for coal mines were adopted; and

    (2) safety standards for coal mines were strengthened;

Whereas the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 is the foundation 
        for the mine and workplace safety standards in place in the United 
        States as of the date of agreement to this resolution;
Whereas the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 stands as a tribute 
        and a memorial to the workers and families who have lost loved ones in 
        the mining industry; and
Whereas the people of the United States should not only remember the historic 
        enactment of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, but 
        also commemorate the role of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act 
        of 1969 in the establishment of the mining and workplace safety 
        standards in place as of the date of agreement to this resolution: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the date of 
        enactment of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 
        1969 (30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.);
            (2) observes and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the 
        Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969;
            (3) remains committed to advancing and updating mining and 
        workplace safety and health standards as--
                    (A) industry technologies advance; and
                    (B) advancements in technology make resources that 
                have been difficult to access more accessible; and
            (4) encourages all people of the United States to reflect 
        upon the sacrifices that miners have made--
                    (A) to provide power and resources to the industry 
                and economy of the United States; and
                    (B) to assist the United States in growing and 
                thriving.
                                 <all>