[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 151-152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COAL INDUSTRY

  (Mr. ENYART asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page 152]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ENYART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the southern 
Illinois coal industry, which had a record year last year--the best in 
decades.
  Southern Illinois is blessed with abundant natural resources like 
coal that provide good jobs and support our middle class. I'm proud to 
say that Illinois is a leader in coal production and outpaced every 
other State in 2012. Bucking national trends, Illinois mines produced 
more than 40 million tons of coal in 2012, the most since 1995. This is 
in large part due to southern Illinois mines and a talented and 
dedicated workforce.
  Folks in my district are worried about jobs. They want to have faith 
in the southern Illinois way of life. Our coal industry in southern 
Illinois presents enormous economic potential; and judging by the 
record-setting production last year, we are well on our way to power 
good jobs and address domestic energy needs.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to focus on good jobs 
and support southern Illinois workers and coal.

                          ____________________