[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 331 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]


        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, 
  providing 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 communities;

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;

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 concurring), 
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.