Committee Substitute
for
HOUSE Concurrent RESOLUTION 72
((By Delegates Holstein, Eldridge, Green, Jeffries, Coop-Gonzalez, Adkins, Akers, Amos, Anders, Barnhart, Bridges, Brooks, Browning, Butler, Campbell, D. Cannon, J. Cannon, Canterbury, Chiarelli, T. Clark, W. Clark, Clay, Cooper, Crouse, Dean, DeVault, Dillon, Dittman, Drennan, Ellington, Ferrell, Flanigan, Fluharty, Foggin, Funkhouser, Garcia, Gearheart, Hall, Hamilton, Hansen, Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker), Heckert, Hillenbrand, Hite, Hornbuckle, Hornby, Hott, T. Howell, Kelly, Kimble, Kump, Kyle, Leavitt, Lewis, Linville, Mallow, Marple, Martin, Masters, Maynor, Mazzocchi, McCormick, McGeehan, Miller, Moore, Parsons, Petitto, Phillips, Pinson, Pritt, Pushkin, Ridenour, Rohrbach, Roop, Shamblin, Sheedy, B. Smith, D. Smith, Statler, Steele, Stephens, Street, Toney, Vance, Ward, White, Williams, Willis, Young, and Zatezalo)
[March 21, 2025; Referred to the committee on Rules ]
Proclaiming March "Black Lung Awareness Month" in West Virginia to both pay tribute to those who have or are suffering from coal worker’s pneumoconiosis and to help reduce the risk of black lung disease in coal miners;
Whereas, Black lung disease, also known as coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP), is one of over 200 forms of pulmonary fibrosis, and is a lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust. It's an occupational lung disease that's most common in coal miners. Over time, coal dust particles inflame and scar the lungs, making the essential function of breathing difficult; and
Whereas, There is no way to reverse black lung disease and it is a lifelong condition, shortening the life expectancy of those with the disease by an average of 12.6 years; and
Whereas, Coal miners who develop complicated black lung disease require medical care, regular lung function testing, X-rays, pulmonary rehabilitation, and often require supplemental oxygen to breathe and suffer with this disability. In the most severe cases, lung transplants may be necessary; and
Whereas, Black lung disease is preventable, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a set of safety standards to help workers avoid the disease. Under these guidelines, all coal miners should wear a mask, wash any skin that comes in contact with dust, safely remove dust from all clothing and wash their face and hands before eating, drinking or taking medication. In addition, all mines are regulated to limit how much coal dust is in the air; and
Whereas, Black lung disease is a progressive disease that often leaves miners unaware of its presence until they are retiring from the mines; and
Whereas, The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 stated that "[t]he first priority and concern of all in the mining industry must be the health and safety of our most precious resource, the miner;" and
Whereas, Those who contract black lung disease while honorably working a dangerous job to support their families are entitled to monthly payments under the Black Lung Benefits Act, as are their survivors to help offset this deadly and costly disease; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That to honor those upon whom we rely for the electricity we use and the advancements we are able to make, and to protect them and their families from the debilitating effects of this preventable disease, we recognize March as "Black Lung Awareness Month."