[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 331 Received in Senate (RDS)]


109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 331


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 9, 2006

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Honoring the sacrifice and courage of the 16 coal miners killed in 
  various mine disasters in West Virginia, and recognizing the rescue 
 crews for their outstanding efforts in the aftermath of the tragedies.

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.
    Passed the House of Representatives February 8, 2006.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.