[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 459 Introduced in House (IH)]







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.;
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, 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 persevere in extreme 
        conditions for 3 days and 5 hours.
                                 <all>