Whereas the men and women in the coal industry who play a part in building, maintaining, and delivering access to energy should be commended for their hard work and vital role in modern life;

Whereas coal continues to serve as a reliable and affordable source of baseload power for consumers across the United States and provided 19.5 percent of the utility-scale electricity in the United States in 2022;

Whereas coal is the most abundant source of electricity worldwide, providing more than 36 percent of global electricity as of the date of introduction of this resolution;

Whereas coal was a critical source of power for the industrial revolution, driving steam engines, factories, and transportation such as railways and steam ships;

Whereas coal is an essential energy source that significantly enhanced the military readiness of the United States by enabling modernization of the Navy fleet from sail to steam-powered ships;

Whereas coal remains an important source of energy for the United States, supporting the reliable power needs essential to military readiness and national security;

Whereas the United States has made significant progress in reducing emissions from coal power plants through the adoption of advanced emission reduction technologies; and

Whereas these reductions contribute to improved air quality and public health while sustaining the energy necessary to maintain a steady and strong national gross domestic product: Now, therefore, be it