THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR JAY ROCKEFELLER.

Washington, DC – Senator Jay Rockefeller today marked the 30th anniversary of two offices in West Virginia – in Charleston and Parkersburg – that administer Black Lung claims. An event was held today in Charleston to recognize these offices, which opened as a result of changes made to the Black Lung Benefits Act.

In his remarks, Rockefeller told those in attendance today, “We all know how hard this disease is on our miners, and how much their families hurt watching them struggle to do sometimes even the most ordinary tasks. It’s a horrible thing, and we have to be there for them. Miners are the heart of our Mountain State, and we must continue fighting to protect their hard-earned benefits.”

Rockefeller said the process for establishing eligibility for benefits has to be the first priority, and that a clear path is needed to ensure that all eligible miners receive the benefits they deserve. To speed up compensation, Rockefeller introduced legislation that would have streamlined the benefits process for miners and their families under the Black Lung Trust Fund.

Once benefits are secured, Rockefeller believes a person shouldn’t have to re-file. He sponsored legislation that would allow the 11,000 retired miners and their families in West Virginia to receive Black Lung benefits without re-filing claims or having to prove – again – that their spouse died as a result of Black Lung disease.

“We need to continue fighting for these improvements,” Rockefeller said. “These men and women have one of the hardest, riskiest and most challenging jobs on the planet. It’s a job that requires strength, dedication and courage – and it’s a job that should be met with the best support we can possibly give both them and their families.”