[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7057-H7058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR TRAPPED CHILEAN MINERS

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1662) expressing support for the 33 trapped 
Chilean miners following the Copiapo mining disaster and the Government 
of Chile as it works to rescue the miners and reunite them with their 
families.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1662

       Whereas, on August, 5, 2010, the San Jose copper-gold mine 
     in Copiapo, Chile, collapsed, leaving 33 miners trapped 
     underground;
       Whereas Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has made it a 
     national priority to rescue the stranded miners and reunite 
     them with their families;
       Whereas the Chilean Ministry of Minerals and Ministry of 
     Health are working tirelessly to rescue the 33 miners and 
     make the necessary preparations to ease them back into 
     society after they are rescued;
       Whereas the United States continues to assist in the rescue 
     effort, through the efforts of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, private United States companies, and 
     others who shared expertise on rescue missions and the 
     psychological impact of isolation; and
       Whereas, on September 17, 2010, a rescue drill completed a 
     bore hole ahead of schedule raising hopes that the miners may 
     be pulled out earlier than the previous forecasts for early 
     November: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the bravery of the 33 miners trapped in the 
     San Jose mine in Copiapo, Chile;
       (2) expresses solidarity with the stranded miners and their 
     families;
       (3) commends the efforts of President Sebastian Pinera and 
     the Government of Chile in their tireless rescue efforts;
       (4) commends the efforts by United States Federal agencies 
     and private individuals and entities in responding directly 
     and promptly to Chile's request for advice and expertise to 
     assist in this humanitarian endeavor; and
       (5) expresses continued support for the successful rescue, 
     recovery, and reintegration of the 33 miners into Chilean 
     society.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On August 5, 2010, the San Jose copper-gold mine in Copiapo, Chile 
collapsed, leaving 33 miners trapped 2,300 feet underground. As of 
today, they have been there for 55 days.
  The Chilean President has made the rescue of these stranded miners a 
national priority. This resolution addresses that deplorable event.
  While initial estimates suggested that a complete rescue will take as 
long as 4 months, recent developments give hope that relief could come 
for the miners and their families much sooner.
  Chilean officials are working tirelessly to rescue the 33 miners, and 
are making the necessary preparations to ease them back into society 
post-rescue. In this context, NASA has provided its unique expertise on 
rescue missions and the psychological impact of isolation. Private U.S. 
companies such as UPS have also contributed.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution expresses solidarity with the stranded 
miners and their families, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I want to commend Congressman Mack, the ranking member of the Western 
Hemisphere Committee, for offering this resolution.
  H. Res. 1662 commends the bravery of the 33 trapped miners in Chile 
who have endured nearly 2 months of unimaginable mental and physical 
strain following the August 5 collapse of the San Jose copper-gold mine 
which trapped them one-half mile below ground.
  It was believed that these men did not survive the original collapse, 
but 17 days after the disaster the miners were miraculously discovered 
to be alive and in fair condition. Quick-thinking and decisive action 
led the men to take refuge in a shelter where they have been surviving 
for the last 7 weeks.
  The Chilean Government has been working tirelessly to secure the 
safety of the miners as quickly as possible and to secure their 
release. In addition, scientists and doctors from NASA, as well as 
private U.S. engineers and companies, have been instrumental throughout 
the rescue process and continue to aid in the drilling efforts.
  Various supply holes have reached the group to provide them with 
food, water, health supplies, air, and games to keep the 33 individuals 
safe and stable.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1662, which commends the 
bravery of the 33 trapped miners in Chile who have endured nearly 2 
months of unimaginable mental and physical strain following the August 
5th collapse of the San Jose copper-gold mine which trapped them half a 
mile below ground.
  It was believed that the men did not survive the original collapse, 
but 17 days after the disaster the miners were miraculously discovered 
to be alive and in fair condition.

[[Page H7058]]

  Quick thinking and decisive action led the men to take refuge in a 
shelter where they have been surviving for the last seven weeks.
  The Chilean government has been working tirelessly to secure the 
safety of the miners as quickly as possible.
  In addition, scientists and doctors from the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, NASA, as well as private U.S. engineers and 
companies, have been instrumental throughout the rescue process and 
continue to aid in the drilling efforts.
  Various supply holes have reached the group to provide them with 
food, water, health supplies, air, and games to keep the 33 individuals 
safe and stable.
  Because of the exhausting emotional and physical impact of the 
situation, psychologists have made it a priority to keep them occupied, 
and believe it is an integral part of the rescue, and reintegration 
process when they are finally pulled out.
  Happily, recent advancements in the drilling efforts have improved 
rescue forecasts originally set for November.
  I would like to commend President Pinera and the Chilean government 
for their tireless rescue efforts and again recognize the invaluable 
contributions of the U.S. agencies and private entities that have been 
a part of this humanitarian endeavor.
  I also would like to extend my heartfelt sentiments to the trapped 
miners and their families.
  Please know that we have you in our hearts and prayers.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1662, which 
expresses solidarity with the 33 trapped miners in Chile, whose story 
we've all been following in the news. Imagine: If we sit riveted to the 
tireless efforts of the rescue teams, what it must be like in Chile in 
``Camp Hope'' where the families of the stranded miners hold vigil 
every day. Hope--Esperanza in Spanish--is a powerful force. In fact, 
the wife of one of the miners has given birth in the days since the 
collapse. The daughter's name: Esperanza.
  Just last week, I met with the Chilean Defense Minister in my office. 
We spoke of miracles. For 17 days after the mine's collapse, not a 
shred of evidence existed that the men below were alive. Their families 
didn't know whether to grieve or to hope. Yet, on August 22, a miracle 
occurred. Discovering the miners were alive provided an entire country 
with hope and inspiration. And after a method was engineered to 
communicate with the trapped miners, my friend, President Sebastian 
Pinera, broadcast a message to the world from the miners: ``We are 33. 
We are fine.''
  As we speak, engineers and other experts are leading three 
simultaneous efforts to rescue the miners. They involve sophisticated 
heavy machinery and precision drilling equipment, and every inch they 
descend into the mine must be undertaken with care. The miners are in a 
precarious situation. But the sense of optimism I observe in Chile is 
uplifting. The men have created a livable environment down there. They 
exercise, they pray, they play dominos. They are surviving--but they 
need the support of their families, their country, and people around 
the world.
  Their rescue is imminent. I am proud that our government has stepped 
up to help in this difficult, but worthy endeavor. This is not an 
example of gaining political points or helping a political ally. This 
is our government doing what it does best: lending humanitarian 
support. A handful of medical experts from the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration--NASA--are in Chile now. They are providing 
psychological expertise on the effects of isolation. They will be there 
when the miners emerge from their temporary homes and will assist in 
their reintegration. I commend their efforts.
  I urge my fellow lawmakers to join me in voting in favor of this 
resolution, so that these 33 brave souls--whether they rise to the 
Earth's surface in one week or one month in a metal contraption aptly 
called ``The Phoenix''--their families, and those who collaborated in 
their rescue know that here in the United States this chamber has taken 
the time to reflect on the plight of these heroes and express 
solidarity with them.

                          ____________________