[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 470--RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE OF 
    ENACTMENT OF THE FEDERAL COAL MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT OF 1969

  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:

                              S. Res. 470

       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
       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.

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