PRINTER'S NO. 1071
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
186
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, ARGALL, BLAKE, GORDNER, YUDICHAK, VOGEL,
STREET, MARTIN, BARTOLOTTA, K. WARD, BROWNE AND J. WARD,
JUNE 25, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 25, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating July 20, 2019, as "Anthracite Heritage Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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, Anthracite coal is 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 six northeastern coalfields, encompassing
the counties of Carbon, Columbia, 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
economic and cultural history and at one time accounted for 50%
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of the male industrial workforce; 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
WHEREAS, In the late 1800s, more than 10,000 miners died in
anthracite mine accidents; and
WHEREAS, Early anthracite use was limited to local
consumption since the coal 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, Anthracite use 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, This Commonwealth is now the third largest coal-
producing state and the only state that produces anthracite
coal; and
WHEREAS, Northeastern Pennsylvania is the only region in our
Commonwealth to produce anthracite coal; and
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WHEREAS, Today, the anthracite industry 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 20, 2019, as
"Anthracite Heritage Day" in Pennsylvania in recognition of our
rich anthracite mining history.
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