[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

120 STAT. 3710

 
NOTE: Feb. 9, 2006 -  [H.Con.Res.331]  WEST VIRGINIA COAL MINERS AND
VOLUNTEERS--HONORING SACRIFICE AND COURAGE

Whereas coal generates more than half of domestic electricity, providing
millions of Americans with energy for their homes and businesses;

Whereas West Virginia is the Nation's second largest coal producing
State;

Whereas an average of 7,600 pounds of coal per person per year is used
in the United States;

Whereas the United States has an estimated 275,000,000,000 tons of
recoverable coal reserves representing about 95 percent of all
fossil fuel reserves in the nation;

Whereas coal continues to be the economic engine for many communities;

Whereas coal miners are among the most productive of all American
workers, producing 7 tons of coal per miner per day, which results
in coal consistently being the most cost-effective choice for
generating electricity in the United States;

Whereas during the last century over 100,000 coal miners have been
killed in mining accidents in the Nation's coal mines;

Whereas the Nation is greatly indebted to coal miners for the difficult
and dangerous work they perform to provide the fuel needed to
operate the Nation's industries and to provide energy to homes and
businesses;

Whereas 13 West Virginia miners were trapped 260 feet below the surface
in the Sago mine for over 40 hours following an explosion on January
2, 2006;

Whereas Federal, State, and local rescue crews worked relentlessly in an
attempt to save the miners;

Whereas many residents of Upshur County, West Virginia, and the
surrounding areas came together at the Sago Baptist Church to
support the miners' families;

Whereas 12 miners, Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim Bennett,
Jerry Groves, George Hamner Jr., Terry Helms, David Lewis, Martin
Toler, Fred Ware Jr., Jack Weaver, Jesse Jones, and Marshall Winans,
lost their lives on January 3, 2006;

Whereas only one miner, Randal McCloy, was safely rescued;

Whereas 2 West Virginia miners were trapped by a fire in the Aracoma
Alma Mine on January 19, 2006;

Whereas Don Israel Bragg and Ellery ``Elvis'' Hatfield lost their lives
in the Aracoma Alma Mine;

Whereas 2 West Virginia miners lost their lives in separate incidents in
Boone County on February 1, 2006; and

Whereas Edmund Vance perished in the Long Branch No. 18 Mine and Paul
Moss perished at the Elk Run Black Castle mine: Now, therefore, be
it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) recognizes Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim
Bennett, Jerry Groves, George Hamner Jr., Terry Helms, David

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120 STAT. 3711

Lewis, Martin Toler, Fred Ware Jr., Jack Weaver, Jesse Jones,
and Marshall Winans for their sacrifice in the Sago, West
Virginia, coal mine;
(2) recognizes Don Israel Bragg and Ellery ``Elvis''
Hatfield for their sacrifice in the Aracoma Alma, West Virginia
coal mine;
(3) recognizes Edmund Vance and Paul Moss for their
sacrifice in the Boone County, West Virginia, coal mines;
(4) extends the deepest condolences of the Nation to the
families of these men;
(5) recognizes Randal McCloy for his stamina and courage
that enabled him to survive in severe conditions for over 40
hours;
(6) recognizes the rescue crews for their outstanding effort
resulting in the safe rescue of Randal McCloy; and
(7) recognizes the many volunteers who provided support for
the miners' families during the rescue operations.

Agreed to February 9, 2006.