PRINTER'S NO. 1932
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
408
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, ARGALL, BLAKE, GORDNER, YUDICHAK,
BARTOLOTTA, GREENLEAF, MARTIN, SABATINA, BREWSTER, BROWNE,
SCHWANK, WHITE, VULAKOVICH AND WARD, JUNE 22, 2018
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 22, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating July 21, 2018, as "Anthracite Heritage Day" in
Pennsylvania and recognizing 2018 as the 250th anniversary of
the discovery of anthracite coal as a fuel source.
WHEREAS, Anthracite coal, or hard coal, is formed by high
temperature and pressure and is a natural mineral with high
carbon content, high heat quality and few impurities; and
WHEREAS, This year is the 250th anniversary of the discovery
of anthracite coal as a fuel source, the first known use having
been recorded in 1768 by a blacksmith in the Wilkes-Barre
region; and
WHEREAS, Anthracite coal was mined mostly in Wales and in
this Commonwealth's five northeastern coalfields, encompassing
the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland and
Schuylkill; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania anthracite region, or "coal
region," is home to the largest known deposits of anthracite
coal found in America; and
WHEREAS, Coal miners played an important part in our nation's
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economic and cultural history and at one time accounted for 50%
of the male industrial work force; and
WHEREAS, Coal miners in the anthracite region came from
diverse ethnic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, Coal mines were dangerous places to work as injuries
and deaths were commonplace and, in the late 1800s, more than
10,000 miners died in anthracite mine accidents; and
WHEREAS, Early anthracite usage was limited to local
consumption because it was difficult to ignite and hard to
transport to urban markets, making it challenging for early coal
companies to survive and prosper; and
WHEREAS, The Lehigh, Schuylkill, Delaware and Hudson canals
were formed to transport coal to urban markets, including
Philadelphia and New York City; and
WHEREAS, The rise of the railway system expanded the
anthracite industry in this Commonwealth and brought the first
steam locomotive to America; and
WHEREAS, The use of anthracite in the iron industry increased
the demand for hard coal and fueled the Industrial Revolution;
and
WHEREAS, The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 was one of
America's largest industrial strikes and brought about increased
wages, shorter hours and safer working conditions for immigrants
working the coalfields; and
WHEREAS, Anthracite coal helped meet the tremendous energy
and production demands of two World Wars; and
WHEREAS, Anthracite coal production now accounts for
approximately 2 million tons annually; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is now the fourth largest coal-
producing state; and
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WHEREAS, The anthracite industry today is responsible for
more than 1,000 Pennsylvania jobs and contributes more than $200
million annually to the region and the State economy; and
WHEREAS, The importance of the contributions of coal miners
and the anthracite industry to our nation and our Commonwealth
cannot be overstated; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate July 21, 2018, as
"Anthracite Heritage Day" in Pennsylvania in recognition of our
rich anthracite mining history; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize 2018 as the 250th
anniversary of the discovery of anthracite coal as a fuel
source.
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