H. Con. Res. 331
Agreed to February 9, 2006
One Hundred Ninth Congress
of the
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 
the third day of January, two thousand and six 
Concurrent Resolution
Whereas coal generates more than half of domestic electricity, pro-
viding millions of Americans with energy for their homes and 
businesses; 
Whereas West Virginia is the Nation’s second largest coal producing 
State; 
Whereas an average of 7,600 pounds of coal per person per year 
is used in the United States;
Whereas the United States has an estimated 275,000,000,000 tons 
of recoverable coal reserves representing about 95 percent of 
all fossil fuel reserves in the nation;
Whereas coal continues to be the economic engine for many commu-
nities;
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 during the last century over 100,000 coal miners have 
been killed in mining accidents in the Nation’s coal mines;
Whereas the Nation is greatly indebted to coal miners for the 
difficult and dangerous work they perform to provide the fuel 
needed to operate the Nation’s industries and to provide energy 
to homes and businesses;
Whereas 13 West Virginia miners were trapped 260 feet below 
the surface in the Sago mine for over 40 hours following an 
explosion on January 2, 2006;
Whereas Federal, State, and local rescue crews worked relentlessly 
in an attempt to save the miners;
Whereas many residents of Upshur County, West Virginia, and 
the surrounding areas came together at the Sago Baptist Church 
to support the miners’ families;
Whereas 12 miners, Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim 
Bennett, Jerry Groves, George Hamner Jr., Terry Helms, David 
Lewis, Martin Toler, Fred Ware Jr., Jack Weaver, Jesse Jones, 
and Marshall Winans, lost their lives on January 3, 2006;
Whereas only one miner, Randal McCloy, was safely rescued;
Whereas 2 West Virginia miners were trapped by a fire in the 
Aracoma Alma Mine on January 19, 2006;
Whereas Don Israel Bragg and Ellery ‘‘Elvis’’ Hatfield lost their 
lives in the Aracoma Alma Mine;
H. Con. Res. 331—2
Whereas 2 West Virginia miners lost their lives in separate 
incidents in Boone County on February 1, 2006; and
Whereas Edmund Vance perished in the Long Branch No. 18 Mine 
and Paul Moss perished at the Elk Run Black Castle mine: 
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), That Congress—
(1) recognizes Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim 
Bennett, Jerry Groves, George Hamner Jr., Terry Helms, David 
Lewis, Martin Toler, Fred Ware Jr., Jack Weaver, Jesse Jones, 
and Marshall Winans for their sacrifice in the Sago, West 
Virginia, coal mine; 
(2) recognizes Don Israel Bragg and Ellery ‘‘Elvis’’ Hatfield 
for their sacrifice in the Aracoma Alma, West Virginia coal 
mine; 
(3) recognizes Edmund Vance and Paul Moss for their 
sacrifice in the Boone County, West Virginia, coal mines; 
(4) extends the deepest condolences of the Nation to the 
families of these men; 
(5) recognizes Randal McCloy for his stamina and courage 
that enabled him to survive in severe conditions for over 40 
hours; 
(6) recognizes the rescue crews for their outstanding effort 
resulting in the safe rescue of Randal McCloy; and 
(7) recognizes the many volunteers who provided support 
for the miners’ families during the rescue operations. 
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.