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90_SR0071
LRB9005622DPcw
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The National Museum of Coal Mining ("Museum") is
3 a not-for-profit corporation organized and incorporated in
4 the State of Illinois; and
5 WHEREAS, The Museum is the only national institution of
6 its kind in the Nation dedicated to telling the story of the
7 coal industry as it has affected our national heritage and as
8 it will affect our future; and
9 WHEREAS, The National Museum of Coal Mining is comprised
10 of 2 facilities located in West Frankfort, Illinois, which
11 in combination represent the largest mining exhibition in
12 the world; one facility, the historic Orient 2, was the
13 largest coal mine in the world for more than 40 years, holds
14 the world's single-shift hoisting record, and was the first
15 completely mechanized mine in the world; the second facility,
16 known as Mine 25, is an intact, modern underground mine
17 complex which the public may tour 600 feet below ground to
18 visualize historic and current mining methods; and
19 WHEREAS, The National Museum of Coal Mining is organized
20 exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific
21 purposes; and
22 WHEREAS, The general objects and purposes of the Museum
23 are those provided in its articles of incorporation,
24 including but not limited to the following: (1) to inform and
25 educate the public regarding the development, mining, and
26 utilization of coal and other mineral resources; (2) to
27 document, restore, archive, and display artifacts and
28 equipment relating to coal mining and coal consumption; (3)
29 to foster, promote, and encourage a better understanding of
30 the origins and growth of coal mining and the part mining has
31 played in changing the economic, social, technological, and
32 scientific aspects of our Nation; (4) to operate, restore,
-2- LRB9005622DPcw
1 and create one or several operating or model mines to
2 demonstrate to the public the art and science of coal mining
3 and to serve to train and educate persons interested or
4 employed in the industry, mining methods, history, and
5 procedure; (5) to establish and maintain a library and
6 museum for collecting and preserving for posterity the
7 history of coal mining instrumentalities, organizations, and
8 individuals; and (6) to cooperate with other mining
9 organizations that are actively engaged and interested in
10 similar projects.
11 WHEREAS, The National Museum of Coal Mining is seeking a
12 Federal Charter from the United States Congress; and
13 WHEREAS, Federal Charter status will enhance the public
14 profile of the Museum and thereby increase tourism at the
15 Museum and the number of jobs created in Illinois; therefore
16 be it
17 RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
18 OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that this Body urges the Illinois
19 Delegation to the United States Congress to support the
20 granting of Federal Charter status to the National Museum of
21 Coal Mining; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
23 forwarded to the members of the Illinois delegation to the
24 United States Congress, the Majority and Minority leaders of
25 the United States Senate, and the Governor of this State.