[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING COAL MINERS FROM UPPER BIG BRANCH MINE IN WEST VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2010

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1236, which 
honors the coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine--South 
in Raleigh County, West Virginia, extends condolences to their 
families, and recognizes the valiant efforts of emergency response 
workers at the mine disaster.
  On April 5, America witnessed the worst coal mining disaster in 40 
years when an explosion occurred at the Upper Big Branch--South Mine. 
Twenty-nine miners were killed in this tragedy, and my thoughts and 
prayers go out to their families, friends and colleagues during this 
difficult time.
  I also would like to commend the rescue teams who bravely risked life 
and limb to search for missing miners after the disaster, and thank the 
volunteers who supported the community through this tragedy.
  I feel strongly about the concerns of the mining industry because I 
was born and raised in West Virginia, where my father as a U.S. 
Senator, was known as one of the best friends a miner ever had. There 
is no question that mining has been a dangerous job. Today, coal mining 
is rated among the most dangerous jobs in America. It does not have to 
be that way.
  Chairman Miller has assured me that the Education and Labor Committee 
will be investigating any possible health and safety violations at the 
Upper Big Branch--South Mine to see if laws were circumvented and 
miners' lives were recklessly put at risk. If that was indeed the case, 
those responsible must be held accountable.
  Too many families have suffered the loss of a loved one in a mining 
disaster. We in Congress need to fully investigate the factors that led 
to these tragedies. We need to investigate the deficiencies in laws, 
regulations and enforcement that may have contributed to these 
disasters.
  We owe it to the families of miners lost in these disasters and the 
miners that work every day to take action to prevent these accidents 
from happening again. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1236.

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