[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MINING ACCIDENT IN 
                          NOVOKUZNETSK, RUSSIA

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
condolences over the terrible mining accident that took place earlier 
today near the Russian city of Novokuznetsk in Siberia. According to 
news reports, as many as 38 people may have been killed and still 
others injured in a methane gas explosion at the Yubileinaya coal mine. 
This is a terrible and sad accident
  Words alone cannot adequately convey my sympathy over this tragic 
accident. Coal mining is a difficult and dangerous job often done by 
the economically disadvantaged and accidents such as these only make 
that challenging way of life harder. Indeed, we Americans are, 
unfortunately, no stranger to mining accidents.
  Just this morning the Helsinki Commission held a hearing on Russia. 
Our hearts and prayers go out to all those Russians affected by this 
tragedy and we hope that those who remain trapped are recovered soon 
and alive.

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