Beckley Post-Herald
MESA's Formal Dedication Scheduled For Tuesday
August 16, 1976
Tuesday's the day for the formal dedication ceremonies at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy near the Raleigh County Airport. Tours are scheuduled [sic] all day long.
At 2 p.m. U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd is scheduled to deliver the main address at the dedication. Also scheudled [sic] to speak are U.S. Interior Secretary Thomas S. Kleppe and Min[i]ng Enforcement and Safety Administration (MESA) administrator Robert E. Barrett. Dr. Michael G. Zabetakis, superintendent of the academy, will act as master of ceremonies.
Byrd, chairman of the subcommit[t]ee for Interior Appropriations in the U.S. Senate, has been credited with securing the $20.6 million to construct, equip and staff the Academy. Representing the second largest U.S. coal producing state, he has played a major role in safety legislation for miners as well as leading the fight to fund the construction of the academy.
Byrd, who has served in the Senate for 18 years and in the House for six, is the majority whip in the Senate. He alsso [sic] serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the committee on Rules and Administration.
The academy, expected to provide hundreds of new jobs here, will be MESA's central trai[n]ing center for MESA inspectors. It will conduct continuing education programs and serve as a conference center in mine health and safety.
Starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, visitors will be able to see the following exhibits:
- A demonstration of the nature and causes of fire, the explosive range of gases, pressures generated in mine explosions, and dangers associated with petroleum products including possible home hazards.
- Exhibits of rescue equipment for mine emergencies, including demonstrations of self-contained breathing apparatus.
- A tour of the academy's industrial hygiene lab where visitors may witness dust sampling procedures and some methods used in detecting explosive gases.
- Continuous shows in the academy auditorium of MESA's international award-winning films on first aid, mining health and safety procedures, and rescue operations.
- Tours of the learning resources center with its closed circuit TV displays, programmed learning and multi media equipment.
Light snacks and lunch can be bought at the academy cafeteria all day.