II 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 470 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— (A)2 inspections of each surface coal mine each year; and (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— (A)monetary penalties for all violations of health and safety standards in the workplace; and (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

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.