[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 186 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8368-S8369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL MINER'S DAY

  Mr. MANCHIN. Madam President, I rise today to mark a truly important 
day for my State, and indeed this entire nation.
  December 6 is National Miner's Day, a time when we stop to honor our 
nation's coal miners and remember those who have done so much to make 
this great country what we are today. These brave men and women work 
every day to meet the challenge of keeping our great nation free and 
strong, and although the history of mining has been marked by hardship 
and tragedy, the bravery of our miners has never faltered.
  It is so fitting that today we also learned--just this morning--of a 
landmark settlement of more than $200 million in one of the worst 
mining tragedies our State has faced.
  April 5, 2010, 29 miners lost their lives in the Upper Big Branch 
mine, which was then owned by Massey Energy. Today, the U.S. Attorney 
for the Southern District of West Virginia, Booth Goodwin, announced an 
agreement with Alpha Natural Resources, the company that purchased the 
Massey mines.
  This comprehensive and forward-looking settlement takes the right 
steps to truly protect our miners. By investing more than $120 million 
of this settlement in mine safety--including improvements to existing 
mines, a new West Virginia safety training facility and a research 
trust--this agreement demonstrates that the government and the company 
are serious about creating a true legacy of mine safety.
  While nothing can replace the beloved miners who we lost that 
terrible day, today's agreement shows that we all have zero tolerance 
for anything corporations do--or don't do--that leads to a mine 
fatality.
  As I have always said, at the heart of this tragedy is the simple 
fact that we must do everything in our power to never, ever allow any 
worker to be in the position where this could happen to them or their 
family. Especially since today is National Miner's Day, my thoughts and 
prayers are with the families of the 29 miners who died at Upper Big 
Branch--and I want to assure the families that the loss of their loved 
ones will not be in vain. Every worker should know that when they kiss 
their children goodbye in the morning that they will return home at the 
end of that shift or the end of the day to kiss them goodnight.
  I thank U.S. Attorney Goodwin and his entire team for their skill and 
dedication in negotiating this settlement that focuses on safety and 
training in the future. I also thank Alpha Natural Resources for rising 
to this occasion and meeting these terms. Even though Alpha did not own 
the Upper Big Branch mine at the time of the disaster, I applaud the 
company for taking responsibility for both the mistakes that were made 
and for investing in the future of mining to help prevent another 
tragedy like this from ever taking place. I encourage them--and all our 
mining companies--to continue to take steps to protect our miners.
  In addition, I am pleased that this agreement does not impede the 
families from pursuing additional civil remedies and does not prevent 
the authorities from prosecuting individuals whose actions may warrant 
criminal charges. There should be no immunity for anyone who is 
determined to be responsible in any way for the tragedy at Upper Big 
Branch.
  April 5, 2010 was one of our State's most heartbreaking days. I hope 
and pray that we will never again endure a tragedy like the Upper Big 
Branch deaths, and I will work every day to make sure that we don't.
  Today we also remember the 104th anniversary of the Monongah Mine 
tragedy, our Nation's worst mining disaster--one that took 362 brave 
souls.
  So on this day, it is fitting to pay our respects and show 
appreciation for the miners of yesterday and today. We need to 
recognize the contributions of past miners who have led us to where we 
are now, and today's miners who keep traveling deep into the darkness 
to provide millions of Americans with the electricity that powers our 
lives and the steel with which we build our Nation.
  Without these men and women, our world would look very different. 
They are the true backbone of our country. Our miners extracted the 
coal that powered military ships in World War I and World War II--and 
every conflict since.
  Coal provided the steel to make our country the greatest industrial 
power in the world, ushering in prosperity that built our 
infrastructure and developed a quality of life that became and is still 
the envy of the world. Coal provides nearly half of the electricity in 
our country and every day millions of homes are warm, safe and full of 
light thanks to coal.
  Think for a moment. Try to imagine our country if there had been no 
coal. It is almost inconceivable.
  Coal is mined all over our great Nation. I thank all men and women 
everywhere who work in this industry, but I can speak personally about 
our brave and hardworking miners in West Virginia. The miners of West 
Virginia and their families are the heart and soul of the Mountain 
State and truly an inspiration for me.
  Extracting minerals from the earth is not for the faint of heart. 
This work requires engineering brilliance, nerves of steel and fearless 
dedication. West Virginia coal miners continue to set the bar for 
productivity, quality, and innovation. Their work ethic is second to 
none. Coal miners are not looking for a handout. All they want is a 
work permit so they can go to work, earn a good wage, and provide for 
their families.
  And coal miners are much more than just the work they do--they are 
some of the most loyal, brave, trusted, and patriotic folks that you 
could ever meet. Like their fellow West Virginians, these folks can 
shake your hand, look into your eyes, and touch your heart. Our coal 
miners love their families, the outdoors, their communities and their 
State. These miners work hard every shift, but if they get home and 
find a person in need, their day begins again. If you are hungry, you 
will be fed; if you are lost, you will get directions and then an 
escort to your destination. That's just the kind of people we are, and 
that makes me so proud every day to be a West Virginian and have the 
honor of representing them.
  I will continue to tell our State's story when it comes to 'coal. And 
I will constantly work with my colleagues on both sides of aisle to 
develop technology that allows us to continue to use American coal to 
help achieve energy independence for our great country--which will 
ensure our national security and grow our economy. The simple fact is: 
This country needs coal and our coal miners are still willing and able 
to do the job.
  So today it is my privilege to say thank you for the job that our 
brave coal miners perform. This Nation was

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built on the backs of our coal miners, and all of us should thank them 
not only today but every single day of the year, and every year to 
come.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam President, I came to the floor to speak 
about Richard Cordray's nomination to lead the Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau, but I wish to acknowledge the remarks of Senator 
Manchin. We have coal miners in my great State of Colorado. They are 
particularly located in the northwestern section of our State. They are 
hardworking. They are patriotic.
  We have some of the cleanest coal in the world. It is used all over 
our country and exported to many countries around the world.
  I thank him for his remarks and for drawing attention to their 
accomplishments and their contributions to America.
  Mr. MANCHIN. I thank my colleague.

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