The House approved by 409 to 0 a Congressional Resolution (H. Res. 1236) Rahall introduced with Reps. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, which has jurisdiction over mine safety, also cosponsored the resolution that honored the coal miners who perished in the mine, extended condolences to their families, and recognized the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the mine disaster.
Rahall made the following statement on the House floor today in honor of the fallen miners:
“Last week, on Monday, April 5th, an explosion tore through the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia, taking the lives of 29 good, hardworking men. It was the repeat of a recurring nightmare that has haunted the coalfields of our Nation for generations and it is tragedy that never should have occurred.
“Immediately upon receiving news of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, I rushed to the site. It was, for me, unfortunately, not an unfamiliar circumstance. I have spent too many anxious hours in the aftermath of mine accidents in the midst of family and friends and coworkers awaiting word.
“The watching, hoping, and praying for survivors to emerge from the darkness into the arms of their loved ones is a heart-wrenching exercise. But being surrounded by such warmth, and love, generosity and faith is heartwarming. The people of coal mining communities – in particular those of southern West Virginia – are a special breed.
“Generations of these families go into the mines. For so many of these miners, it is not just a job; it is a calling. They live with the knowledge that there is risk, but they are proud to take that risk to labor in the company of good and loyal friends to earn an honest paycheck in order to provide for their families and themselves.
“The miners at Upper Big Branch were just such men. Like coal miners throughout the ages, they did difficult work in dangerous circumstances. They labored underground, in cramped conditions, in the damp and the dark. But outside the mines, their lives were full of light and love and joy. They had wives and children and grandchildren. They hunted. They pranked and they laughed. They experienced warm memories and gentle sorrows.
“And while most Americans can scarcely imagine what a coal miner’s day of work is really like, we certainly appreciate what their labors have meant in our daily lives.
“The toil of these coal miners – of all coal miners — has fueled our nation’s economic engine and ensured our military security by providing coal not just for the generation of power but as an essential element in the steelmaking process.
“These coal miners are deserving of our gratitude and of our renewed commitment to ensure that such tragedies never occur again.
“By all accounts, the explosion that took the lives of these 29 miners should never have happened this time, in this modern era.
“To quote Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health Kevin Stricklin: “All explosions are preventable. It’s just making sure you have things in place to keep one from occurring…. it’s quite evident that something went very wrong here.
“There are multiple layers of laws and regulations in place to prevent such a disaster. There are modern technologies. There were repeated, persistent inspections. And yet, 29 men perished.
“That this deadly explosion occurred is infuriatingly, frustratingly heartbreaking and I am determined that we will get to the bottom of it and ensure that steps are taken to prevent a recurrence of this type of explosion. We owe it to the miners who perished in Raleigh County last week. We owe it to their families. We owe it to their coworkers.
“With that inner strength that comes to the West Virginia people, we will get through this tragedy together. We will hold accountable those who failed our miners, so help me God.
“Today, the House of Representatives honors the 29 miners lost in Raleigh County last week. We express the condolences of our Nation to their families and recognize the valiant efforts of the rescue workers who answered the call that day.
“May the Good Lord keep our lost miners, may he care for their families and bless those rescue personnel who risked their own lives in service to others. And may he watch over each and every coal miner who continues to walk in the wake of risk in service to our nation.”
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