Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself 3 minutes. As my colleagues have recounted. on Monday. April 5. an explosion rocked the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal. West Virginia. killing 29 miners and injuring others. This was the worst mine disaster in the United States in almost four decades. For over two centuries. millions of West Virginians livelihoods have depended on extracting the States richest coal deposits. Coal has left an indelible mark on the communities throughout West Virginia and Appalachia. For many of these communities. the mine may be the only way to earn a decent living. These miners are proud of their work and their contribution to the American economy. Coal is in their blood. it is in their tradition. and it is their career. But we also know that underground mining is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Every day miners show up for their shift knowing that there is a chance that they may not return to their families. yet they show up every day. At 3:30 p.m.. during the shift change. a massive explosion ripped through the Upper Big Branch Mine and took the lives of 29 miners and sent others to the hospital. While the cause of this tragedy is still under investigation. today we memorialize those 29 miners who perished. Our Nation sends our deepest condolences to those who have suffered this terrible loss. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to families who have lost a husband. a father. a brother. a son. or more. Those thoughts are with you and your communities in your suffering these devastating losses. These losses will remain long after the headlines fade from national attention. Today we also recognize the valiant efforts of the many rescue teams. who in many cases traveled long distances and risked their lives in hopes of saving their fellow miners. Many rescuers had to evacuate the mine at least four times as a result of explosive levels of methane gas. These brave men and women. who worked around the clock day after day. have the appreciation of this Congress and this Nation for their selfless efforts. I would also like to recognize Congressman NICK RAHALL. who grew up in Beckley. West Virginia. only a few miles south of the mine. Congressman RAHALL sponsored this resolution and provided the muchneeded rock of support for his constituents during this disaster. Reports have come back to me of his consoling and listening to families. neighbors. and friends in his community. I know how much these families appreciate his support and those efforts. Over the last few years I have met many families who have suffered similar tragic losses in mining disasters. And what I have learned is that the impacts of these disasters far range what we see in the general society because of the history of these communities. the culture of these communities. the work ethic in these communities. These tragedies spread across in an indelible way with the loss of a single miner. In the face of these overwhelming tragedies. these families are showing incredible strength and determination. I made a promise to the families of Sago. to Aracoma Alma. to Darby. to Crandall Canyon that we would do everything in our power to uncover the cause of these tragedies and do everything possible to prevent other miners from suffering these similar fates. I want to extend that same promise to these families of Upper Big Branch Mine and to the miners in the community. that we will continue that promise and to get to the bottom of this tragic incident. They paid the ultimate price in doing the job our Nation depends upon. Every miner who goes to work every day must be able to return home safely to their families at the end of that shift. And Congress has an obligation to ensure that that remains the case. I reserve the balance of my time.