[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2488-S2489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



         National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day

  Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of National 
Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day and to honor the life of 
Gabe White, a young West Virginian who lost his life far too soon.
  Gabe was a deckhand, a Boy Scout, a graduate of Gilmer County High 
School, and, most importantly, he was a son, a brother, a nephew, a 
cousin, and a friend.
  I want to thank Gabe's family for being with us here today and 
allowing me to share Gabe's story with the rest of the country, which 
underscores just how incredibly important barge safety is and must be.
  Gabe was a Wheeling, WV, resident who loved music, art, video games, 
and sports. He was always curious and interested in learning more about 
the world and those around him. He appreciated history and was always 
starting interesting discussions with his friends and family. He 
engaged.
  Gabe also loved the outdoors. As a Scout, he fell in love with hiking 
and camping, even during the winter. Gabe and his troops hiked and 
camped much of the Greenbrier River Trail. He had the honor of being an 
Order of the Eagle recipient, in addition to his rank as Life Scout. 
Gabe was always a leader while he was a Scout, which he typically tried 
to avoid because he always focused on being a team player, working with 
others.
  Everyone around Gabe knew him as someone who was always ready to jump 
in and step up to the plate to lend a helping hand when needed. During 
his senior year of high school, Gabe decided to join the high school 
baseball team after only ever playing 1 year of Little League.
  Later, Gabe's friends and teammates and family finally found out that 
Gabe only joined the team because he was worried they wouldn't have 
enough players to form a team and play that last season. Gabe knew it 
was his friends' last chance to play baseball, as they were graduating 
that year. So he was adamant in helping out.
  Gabe showed up with a positive attitude to every practice and game 
and was always prepared to do whatever his coach and teammates needed 
him to do. Again, Gabe was always there to show up and step up to the 
plate when he knew his teammates and friends needed him most.
  Gabe was a true West Virginia Mountaineer through and through.
  Gabe often talked about his desire to become a father and was looking 
forward to becoming an uncle when his brothers had children.
  After he graduated high school, Gabe got a job working as a deckhand. 
He was proud of his job and having this new opportunity. He was excited 
to learn all the new things about working on a barge on the river with 
his team of deckhands.
  However, on the morning of March 22, 2023, Gabe arrived at work as 
usual when an accident occurred that tragically resulted in his death 
at just the age of 20. Following an investigation, it was determined 
that not only was no safety equipment issued, but Gabe was out of line 
of sight of the crane operator, and no spotter was present. Gabe's 
death never, never should have happened. It was preventable, and we 
must acknowledge this.
  This is why I am proud to introduce the National Inland Waterways 
Workers Safety Day resolution with my colleague from West Virginia, 
Shelley Moore Capito. Our resolution designates March 22, 2024, as 
National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Day in recognition of the 1-
year anniversary of Gabe's passing.
  Workers in the national inland waterways play a crucial role 
navigating ships, barges, and tugboats that deliver the goods that we 
need and use. They work hard, loading and unloading barges and 
transport vessels, and cleaning and caring for vessels and shipyards to 
move the goods for America.
  Our resolution recognizes the need to continue to improve the safe 
transportation of domestic cargo and, above all else, to reduce 
transportation vessel- and shipyard-related incidents, fatalities, and 
injuries so another family like Gabe's does not have to endure such a 
tragic loss. And I have said, Gabe's life was not in vain. He will save 
many others.
  The safety of deckhands, engineers, masters, mates, and shoreside 
workers are of the utmost importance. It is critical to equip them with 
the necessary knowledge and resources to perform their duties safely 
and effectively and return home every evening safe.
  I want to applaud the efforts of the Coast Guard, American Waterways 
Operators, Maritime Trades Department, and other groups that are 
working to reduce the incidents of workplace injuries and fatalities in 
and around towing vessels.
  I encourage industry and worker groups to observe March 22 to not 
only

[[Page S2489]]

honor Gabe's life but to also observe the day with appropriate programs 
and activities that increase safety awareness in and around towing-
vessel employment.
  I want to again thank Gabe's family, all of you who came to visit 
with us today and to honor Gabe in such a meaningful way and to ensure 
accidents like this never happen again.
  May God bless Gabe and his family and keep all the workers on the 
waterways safe from any injuries.