II 

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— 


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•SRES 470 IS 

(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 


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•SRES 470 IS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the date 

3 of enactment of the Federal Coal Mine Health and 

4 Safety Act of 1969 (30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.); 

5 (2) observes and celebrates the 40th anniver6 sary of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety 

7 Act of 1969; 

8 (3) remains committed to advancing and updat9 ing mining and workplace safety and health stand10 ards as— 

11 (A) industry technologies advance; and 

12 (B) advancements in technology make re13 sources that have been difficult to access more 

14 accessible; and 

15 (4) encourages all people of the United States 

16 to reflect upon the sacrifices that miners have 

17 made— 

18 (A) to provide power and resources to the 

19 industry and economy of the United States; and 


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1 (B) to assist the United States in growing 

2 and thriving. 

Æ 


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