IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 459

Recognizing rescue crews for their outstanding effort and cooperation resulting in the safe rescue on July 27, 2002, of trapped miners Randy

Fogle, Thomas Foy, Harry B. Mayhugh, John Unger, John Phillippi,

Ronald Hileman, Dennis Hall, Robert Pugh, and Mark Popernack and

the miners for their stamina and courage.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 4, 2002

Mr. GIBBONS (for himself, Mr. MURTHA, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. HOLDEN, and Mr.

MATHESON) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing rescue crews for their outstanding effort and

cooperation resulting in the safe rescue on July 27,

2002, of trapped miners Randy Fogle, Thomas Foy,

Harry B. Mayhugh, John Unger, John Phillippi, Ronald

Hileman, Dennis Hall, Robert Pugh, and Mark

Popernack and the miners for their stamina and courage.

Whereas throughout history, mining products have shaped

the course of civilization with the earliest known copper

smelting furnace created in 6000 B.C. and Charlemange

ending the dark ages through a mining revival in 800

A.D.;
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•HCON 459 IH

Whereas from the establishment of the United States of

America, mining has contributed more to the high standard of living than any other industry because mining

makes it possible for high-speed transportation, sophisticated infrastructure, amazing communication abilities,

modern medicine, and consumer goods from stereos to

Oreo cookies;

Whereas the nation’s mining industry has an annual impact

to the United States economy of $492,000,000,000, providing jobs and income for nearly 3,000,000 Americans;

Whereas every American uses more than 47,000 pounds of

mined material each year to enjoy a high quality of life;

Whereas the coal mining industry, specifically, is the leading

mining industry with direct impacts on the economy of

$16,815,000,000 and indirect impacts of

$161,412,000,000;

Whereas coal generates more than half of domestic electricity,

providing millions of Americans with energy for their

homes and 38 percent of the world’s electric power;

Whereas an average of 7,600 pounds of coal per person per

year is used in the United States;

Whereas coal miners are among the most productive of all

American workers producing 7 tons of coal per miner per

day, which results in coal consistently being the most

cost-effective choice for generating electricity in the

United States;

Whereas Pennsylvania is the fourth largest coal producing

State in the United States producing 76,400,000 short

tons per year;

Whereas 9 Pennsylvania coal miners, Randy Fogle, Thomas

Foy, Harry B Mayhugh, John Unger, John Phillippi,
3

•HCON 459 IH

Ronald Hileman, Dennis Hall, Robert Pugh, and Mark

Popernack, were trapped in a coal mine, 240 feet below

the surface in water that was 55 degrees Fahrenheit for

77 hours;

Whereas the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,

the Pennsylvania Bureau of Deep Mine Safety and local

rescue crews worked relentlessly to save these 9 miners;

and

Whereas these 9 men were safely rescued on July 27, 2002,

due to outstanding rescue skills and perseverance: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—

3 (1) the rescue crews should be recognized for

4 their outstanding effort and cooperation resulting in

5 the safe rescue of the trapped miners; and

6 (2) Randy Fogle, Thomas Foy, Harry B.

7 Mayhugh, John Unger, John Phillippi, Ronald

8 Hileman, Dennis Hall, Robert Pugh, and Mark

9 Popernack, should be recognized for their stamina

10 and steadfast courage that allowed them to per11 severe in extreme conditions for 3 days and 5 hours.

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