IV
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 459
Recognizing rescue crews for their outstanding effort and cooperation result-
ing 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 re-
ferred 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.;
•HCON 459 IH
Whereas from the establishment of the United States of
America, mining has contributed more to the high stand-
ard of living than any other industry because mining
makes it possible for high-speed transportation, sophisti-
cated 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, pro-
viding 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,
•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
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the rescue crews should be recognized for
their outstanding effort and cooperation resulting in
the safe rescue of the trapped miners; and
(2) Randy Fogle, Thomas Foy, Harry B.
Mayhugh, John Unger, John Phillippi, Ronald
Hileman, Dennis Hall, Robert Pugh, and Mark
Popernack, should be recognized for their stamina
and steadfast courage that allowed them to per-
severe in extreme conditions for 3 days and 5 hours.
Æ