[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 133 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11302-S11304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE SACRIFICE AND COURAGE OF MINERS AND RESCUERS IN THE 
                 CRANDALL CANYON MINE DISASTER IN UTAH

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 312, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 312) honoring the sacrifice and 
     courage of the 6 miners who were trapped, the 3 rescue 
     workers who were killed, and the many others who were injured 
     in the Crandall Canyon mine disaster in Utah, and recognizing 
     the community and the rescue crews for their outstanding 
     efforts in the aftermath of the tragedies.

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to the present 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 312) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 312

       Whereas, on August 6, 2007, 6 miners, Kerry Allred, Don 
     Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips, and 
     Manuel Sanchez, were trapped 1,800 feet below ground in the 
     Crandall Canyon coal mine in Emory County, Utah;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local rescue crews have worked 
     relentlessly in an effort to find and rescue the trapped 
     miners;
       Whereas, on August 16, 2007, Dale ``Bird'' Black, Gary 
     Jensen, and Brandon Kimber bravely gave their lives and 6 
     other workers were injured during the rescue efforts;
       Whereas Utah is one of the largest coal-producing States in 
     the United States, having produced more than 26,000,000 tons 
     of coal in 2006;
       Whereas coal generates more than half of our Nation's 
     electricity, providing millions of Americans with energy for 
     their homes and businesses;
       Whereas coal mining continues to provide economic stability 
     for many communities in Utah and throughout 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; and
       Whereas the American people are greatly indebted to coal 
     miners for the difficult and dangerous work they perform: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, 
     Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips, and Manuel Sanchez, as well 
     as Dale ``Bird'' Black, Gary Jensen, and Brandon Kimber for 
     their sacrifice in the Crandall Canyon coal mine;
       (2) extends the deepest condolences of the Nation to the 
     families of these men;
       (3) recognizes the brave work of the many volunteers who 
     participated in the rescue efforts and provided support for 
     the miners' families during rescue operations; and
       (4) honors the contribution of coal mines and coal-mining 
     families to America's proud heritage.

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, in the early morning hours of August 6, 
2007, my home State of Utah, our home State of Utah--my distinguished 
friend and colleague, Senator Bennett, is with me today--suffered a 
seismic event at the Crandall Canyon mine in Emery County. These 
``mountain bumps'' set up a chain of events that culminated in great 
tragedy and tremendous sorrow to all of our fellow Utahans and, I 
think, to many people across the country.

[[Page S11303]]

  As a team of miners was working on its shift at the Crandall Canyon 
mine, the earth shifted and debris and ruin rained down trapping six 
men, all of whom have remained missing since August 6.
  As news began to travel regarding the collapse and the lives in 
peril, crews began working to somehow, some way, free the six men. As 
one day turned into the next and hopes were lifted, just to sadly be 
dashed, one thing has remained constant: men and women from all walks 
of life have come together to fight for Manuel Sanchez, Kerry Allred, 
Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips, and Don Erickson.
  The list is long and varied of the many who have sacrificed and given 
their time, knowledge, and resources to help in this tragedy. The list 
includes officials from the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Administration; Murray Energy Corporation; the United States Air Force; 
Utah's Departments of Public Safety, Natural Resources and Human 
Services; the Utah Air National Guard; local, State and national 
government; and last but perhaps most importantly of all the men, women 
and children living in the communities impacted by this tragedy.
  As our State and Nation watched closely day after day for news of 
hope and rescue, we suffered another devastating blow the evening of 
August 16, 2007, when another seismic bump inside the mine buried 
rescue crews in coal and debris. As another new tragedy unfolded, many 
flew into action to now rescue the rescuers. People rushed to the scene 
to offer aid and valiantly try to save additional lives. Stories are 
told of miners using their bare hands to dig out buried miners.
  As we heard the news of first one rescuer's death, then another, and 
another, it is difficult to describe the overwhelming sorrow and 
disbelief Utahns felt at the deaths of those who had risked everything 
for their co-workers, friends, and fellow miners.
  Many were saved that evening, but sadly three lost their lives for 
others.
  Dale Black was in the mine desperately trying to reach his cousin, 
Kerry Allred. In fact, he wasn't even supposed to have been in the mine 
that evening. He had been promoted the day before and would now be 
assigned as a rescue manager, working outside the mine. However, as 
Dale's brother Guy stated, ``That's Dale. He wouldn't have let his guys 
go in without him.''
  Gary Lynn ``Gibb'' Jensen from Redmond, UT, was an employee working 
for MSHA who was no stranger to mining. He had been in the mining 
industry in various capacities for 35 years and was described by others 
as someone who steered his career toward mine safety. He never 
hesitated to better the lives of his fellow ``coal'' miners.
  And finally, Brandon Kimber, a father of a 5-year-old daughter and 
twin 4-year-old boys. He was relatively new to the mining industry, 
only working in the mines for 3\1/2\ years. He was described as an 
unselfish, wonderful man who never hesitated to help others.
  Dale Black, Brandon Kimber, and Gary Jensen will long be remembered 
for their selfless acts that day. These were three humble miners who 
are now three wonderful heroes.
  As our State and Nation grapples with this tragedy and looks for 
answers, I do not want us in our haste to solve this tragedy overlook 
the contributions miners and the mining industry has made to America 
for many, many years. We want to solve this tragedy, but we haven't 
been able to. The original six miners are still buried in the mine. We 
hope we can recover them.
  Mining is a community, it is a brotherhood, and it helps fuel our 
economy and growth. Generations of Utahns from many of our communities 
have toiled in and helped propel the mining industry. Many men and 
women return home each evening with faces marred by coal dust, and 
tired bodies. However, to many Utahns mining is a way of life and their 
contributions to this important industry must always be appreciated.
  As I have traveled throughout our State and Nation, some of the most 
wonderful people I have met and talked with are miners. They are 
humble, they work hard, and they display courage each day as they enter 
the mines to make a living and support their families.
  Throughout the communities bordering the Crandall Canyon Mine, you 
don't need to travel far to see a sign, a t-shirt, or some other 
display urging all to ``save our miners,'' ``pray for our miners,'' and 
``love our miners.'' I have witnessed first-hand the courage, 
fortitude, and heroism of many wonderful people to do all three save, 
pray, and love our miners.
  I have been saddened greatly by the events that have transpired in my 
home state throughout the past several weeks. The Crandall Canyon Mine 
collapse and tragedy will forever be remembered for the grief we shared 
as a State, and the valiant, and courageous efforts displayed by many. 
In the depths of this tragedy heroes emerged, and our faith in the 
human spirit lives on through the sacrifices made by many to comfort, 
and save the lives of others.
  Senator Bennett and I have introduced this resolution which has been 
agreed to, honoring the sacrifice of the miners and rescue workers and 
expressing the condolences of the Senate and our Nation to their 
families.
  I have been almost blown away by the kindness of our fellow Utahns 
and the courage and strength of those who have tried to save these 
miners. I have appreciated the leadership of the mayors of both 
Huntington and Price who have stood so valiantly as rocks against the 
pain and suffering these good people have suffered. I am so grateful to 
know these people. My heart goes out to the families of these miners 
and, of course, their children. I hope and pray that somehow we can do 
a lasting memorial for these folks who have died and who have worked so 
hard to try and support their families. I was happy to urge our 
colleagues to support this resolution, and I appreciate their support.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Utah.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I thank my senior colleague for the 
thorough and sensitive way in which he has described this Senate 
tribute to the families and the coworkers of the miners who were killed 
in the Crandall Canyon mine disaster.
  I was there the day after the mine collapsed. The Governor was there 
as well. Senator Hatch was on his way and joined us later. We welcomed 
the assistant Secretary of Labor to Utah, and we examined with 
soberness and concern the facts surrounding the situation. We were not 
sure whether the miners had survived. There were reservations from 
those who were experienced with these kinds of mine problems. They were 
afraid the miners had, in fact, been killed in the initial blast. But 
we all held out hopes that they could survive, and efforts were 
undertaken to determine whether they were alive.
  To show the ruggedness of the territory, there was no way to drill a 
significant hole into the mine immediately because there was no road up 
to the top of the mountain where the drill would have to be placed. So 
a smaller drill was brought in by helicopter and drilled a 2\1/2\ inch 
hole through roughly 1,200 feet in an attempt to find out whether we 
could make contact with any survivors who might be there. A road was 
built, a larger drill was brought in and followed the 2\1/2\ inch hole 
with an 8\1/2\ inch hole. Neither one produced any tangible evidence 
that the miners had survived.
  In the briefings we had from the experts onsite, we discussed what 
might be done further besides drilling the holes. They talked about the 
dangers connected with trying to dig into where the miners were. It was 
understood there would be no further attempt in terms of digging in 
until the seismic activity in the mountain had stopped. The mountain 
would continue to shift, and as it was shifting, the experts said: We 
will not undertake any attempt at further rescue.
  I subsequently learned they did make an attempt while the mountain 
was shifting. It was not a reckless attempt, although it was a heroic 
attempt. They believed they had sufficient protection from the rescue 
workers that they could get somewhere near where the miners had been 
trapped and find out if they were still alive, even while the mountain 
was still shifting. They applied fully known and reliable means of 
protection for the rescuers, and then the second tragedy occurred. Even 
with

[[Page S11304]]

this protection, the rescuers themselves were caught by a seismic shift 
in the mountain, and two more miners and one mine inspector were 
killed, bringing the tragic total to nine. More holes were drilled. 
More attempts were made to find out what could be found. But the 
mountain had claimed its nine lives and still has not yielded any of 
those bodies.
  This double tragedy has united the mine community in Utah in the ways 
Senator Hatch has described. And throughout the State of Utah, far away 
from the minefields, flags were flown at half staff as the people of 
our State joined together in mourning for those who had lost their 
lives in this tragic accident. Hearings have been held. We hope to 
learn as much as we possibly can, to continue to work as hard as we can 
as a nation to see that the deaths in the mining world continue to 
decrease, but we recognize that whatever satisfaction we take from the 
fact that mining deaths have decreased over the decades, that still 
does not lessen the tragedy for those loved ones and coworkers who have 
seen this kind of death occur.
  I am pleased to join with my colleague Senator Hatch in cosponsoring 
this resolution and I thank the Senate for its unanimous support of the 
resolution and extend, once again, my personal condolences and 
sympathies for all of those who are personally touched by the tragedy.
  We must, as a Congress, do everything we can to see that this kind of 
tragedy is reduced to the point where, ultimately, it ceases to be.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Who yields time?
  Mrs. MURRAY. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BENNETT. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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