New national black lung group officials Southwest Virginia-centric

ABINGDON — New National Black Lung Association President Vonda Robinson, elected Friday to a one-year term, lives in Scott County's Nickelsville, Virginia. She is the first female president of the association since its founding in 1969 and takes over the reins from a West Virginia president among an outgoing slate of three out of four officers from that state. "I would like to thank everyone. This means so much to me," the new president and immediate past vice president told the group meeting Friday. NEW SECOND IN COMMAND, TOO The new vice president, who has black lung and is the husband of the president, also lives in Nickelsville, while the other two officers elected unopposed by 112 members live in Norton and Bristol, Tennessee, respectively, but are far Southwest Virginia natives. During an interview carrying a portable oxygen generator, the new vice president said he worked 27.5 years in Virginia coal mines, and it took him three years to get black lung benefits. "Vonda's my wife," he told the group. "I can promise you we will fight for you." Vonda Robinson is a strong proponent for black lung victims, and according to federal lawmakers and spokesmen is a staunch, consistent and persistent advocate for federal legislation concerning black lung. Robinson faced a challenge from minister, firefighter and first responder Bink Mooney from Nicholas County, West Virginia. The paper ballot tallies were not released. "Even if I don't get president, Vonda and I are going to work together," Mooney told the group before voting. The two warmly greeted one another after the results. The new secretary is Valeria Reynolds of Norton, Virginia, and the new treasurer is Ray Taylor of Bristol but formerly of Southwest Virginia. Former officers are immediate past President Gary Harrison, immediate past secretary Krista Critchfield and immediate past treasurer Dianna Perdue, all of West Virginia, and Vonda Robinson. "Vonda is a force to be reconned with," Taylor said. He and the other three winners ran as a ticket. BLACK LUNG BACKGROUND According to the National Lung Association, "coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as 'black lung disease,' can occur when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure to coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe. Considered an occupational lung disease, it is most common among coal miners." Dr. Drew Harrison, a pulmonologist, associate professor from the University of Virginia and medical director of the Stone Mountain Black Lung Clinic in St. Charles, Virginia, addressed the group at the Southwest Virginia Center for Higher Education at Virginia Highlands Community College remotely Friday morning, while Dr. Brandon Crum of Pikeville, Kentucky, addressed the group in person in the afternoon. Harrison showed a jarring photograph of a lung transplant recipient's black lung lobe on one side compared to a healthy side that was transplanted. Vonda Robinson and other NBLA officials are pushing for implementation of a new silica rule and original timeline enacted under the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden. However, it was derailed under the second term of Republican President Donald Trump. The group also is pushing for an increase in federal black lung benefits via streamlined legislation. "I really appreciate the black lung clinics," Harrison said. Also speaking was Josh West of the United Mine Workers Association, who said the UMWA will continue to for for coal miners and has endorsed Warner for reelection in the Senate, and Democratic District 9 congressional candidate Joy Powers over U.S Rep. Griffith, R-9th, in the Nov. 3 general election. POLITICS Vonda Robinson, however, said the NBLA is not about politics but helping coal miners and their widows affected by black lung, saying she works with lawmakers on both side of the aisle. "You won't find a bigger advocate on any issue then Vonda and John," Shane Clem from the office of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, R-Va., said after the election results were announced. "I get 25 calls a week from Vonda. I answer 12 of them." Speaking of lawmakers, Charlie Jones of office of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, R-Va., said that kind of effort is needed to get black lung legislation through Congress. That's why on Sept. 30, a black lung education event will be held on Capitol Hill with the group. "Can I just apologize because the people in this room have to work so hard to get what you deserve?" Powers said in speaking to the group. "Right is right. Wrong is wrong." She pledged to work for and advocate for the group, to "go to bat for you all." Griffith provided his recorded message to the group played earlier in the day. 'Vonda is a fierce advocate for our community and our region," Griffith said in the video. "You're advocacy has truly saved lives," Griffith said, saying federal funding needs to continue for black lung clinics such as the Stone Mountain Health Services one in St. Charles, Virginia. Ballad Health also has a black lung operation in Norton, Virginia, at Norton Community Hospital, and both had people at the Friday conference. Kaine in a video said, "we still need to do more at the federal level," including putting the silica standard back on track. "We're now moving backward where we should be moving forward," Kaine said, adding that a black lung funding improvements act also needs to be passed.