[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1099-E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO ROBERT RHEA, ARTHUR DALE JACKSON AND KEVIN DOAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2007

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, on May 20, 2006, five men lost 
their lives in a coal mine explosion in Harlan, Kentucky. The number of 
casualties would have been greater, were it not for the heroic efforts 
of three mine inspectors who decided to go in and save whomever they 
could.
  There were only a few seconds to decide what to do in this situation. 
There were no second chances. Information was conflicting and 
incomplete in those rushed minutes late at night on May 20. These three 
men--Robert Rhea, Arthur Dale Jackson and Kevin Doan--heard enough and 
chose to descend into the smoke-filled blackness of the Darby Coal 
Mine.
  They were driven to help whomever they could, inserting themselves 
into this hellish furnace not knowing whether there would be additional 
explosions or structural collapses.
  The person they rescued, Paul Ledford, had succumbed to the carbon 
monoxide gases caused by the explosion and was unable to move any 
further. He was a half-mile down and never would have made it out on 
his own.
  We are reminded that coal miners face potential hazards deep 
underground, everyday, so that we can keep the lights on and appliances 
running. When tragedy strikes one of

[[Page E1100]]

our coal mines, we depend on those level-headed, brave individuals who 
do the best they can at the scene to save lives and manage the 
disaster.
  While we sort out the lesson of the Darby mine tragedy, we must also 
recognize those who had little time to study, deliberate and analyze 
what to do. They acted.
  And because they did, someone lived. I commend these three 
individuals for answering the most important call any of us could ever 
get--and having the courage that now provides some solace where there 
would otherwise be none.

                          ____________________