[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16046]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RESOLUTION CELEBRATING HEROISM AND BRAVERY

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, just some basic facts. Each and every year 
every American uses 47,000 pounds of mined materials. Of that, 7,600 
pounds are coal; and coal generates more than half of our domestic 
electricity, providing millions of Americans with energy that they 
need.
  Mr. Speaker, it is the miner who we should thank for providing us 
with the quality of life that we enjoy, and we should remember that 
their work often comes at great personal risk.
  In fact, on July 27, nine coal miners were trapped 240 feet below the 
Earth's surface for 77 hours in absolute darkness and chest deep in 55-
degree water. This event revealed what is great about America, because 
hundreds of individuals courageously worked to rescue these nine men 
and return them safely to their families. Thankfully, we all witnessed 
a miracle as each miner was brought to the surface healthy and safe.
  To express our sincere gratitude to these nine miners and their 
rescue crews, I am entering a concurrent resolution honoring these 
individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in supporting 
this resolution which celebrates heroism and bravery.

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