DeWeese supports ‘Coal Miners Day’
State Rep. Bill DeWeese recently said he was proud to join his House colleagues this week in voting to designate Aug. 9 as “Coal Miners Day” in Pennsylvania. “Coal is the essence of my legislative district and from the Civil War through World War I and World War II, coal has been a stalwart of our country’s success,” DeWeese said during comments in the House chamber. “As we debate alternative energy proposals for our country’s future, it’s important that we recognize coal’s history in our Commonwealth.” DeWeese is the prime co-sponsor of H.R. 213 in appreciation, honor and remembrance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of coal miners in the Commonwealth.
The resolution also remembers the 51,514 state coal miners who have died on the job since 1870, including 1,514 in 1907, the deadliest year in the United States and Pennsylvania.
Further, it states that coal mining is safer today because the industry, its miners and government are working together to make the safety of miners the highest priority, thereby significantly reducing the frequency of accidents and fatalities.
“Last session, we spent months working on updating the state’s coal mine safety law and I was proud to play a major part in those negotiations along with the United Mine Workers of America, the Pennsylvania Coal Association, Senators Rich Kasunic and J. Barry Stout and Governor Ed Rendell,” DeWeese said.
“Because of the legacy that coal has played in the 50th Legislative District, it was an honor that the governor visited my district to sign the bill into law one year ago this week.”
“It was inspiring to work toward the common desire to secure the best mine safety law in the nation for the thousands of Pennsylvania miners who descend to the earth’s recesses day in and day out so that we may have energy to heat and cool our homes, run our televisions, wash our clothes and live our daily lives,” he added.
A key provision DeWeese said he fought for in the new law (Act 55) permits a representative of the miners, selected by at least two miners, to accompany a state inspector on mine inspections, also known as “walk around rights.” The representative must be employed by the mine being inspected.