Since January 2nd of this year, 26 miners have lost their lives in tragedies in America’s coal fields. Eighteen of them were in West Virginia, including six in my district. It is a statistical trend that should shame America, a country in which workplace safety is not only a tradition, but also a basic value.
On February 1st, I, along with the entire West Virginia delegation – House and Senate, Democrats and Republican – offered legislation that could have been enacted quickly and potentially begun saving lives.
The West Virginia bill is a surgical strike. It deals with our most immediate mine safety needs. It is simple, straightforward legislation that tells the Mine Safety and Health Administration to do its lawful job. But no action has been taken on that bill in either body. And, since the hour of its introduction, eight coal miners have died.
The deaths of these good and decent men should have been more than enough to spur this government to act to provide our Nation’s miners with every possible safety measure. But, while boasting that it is imposing tough new standards, the Administration has really only tinkered around the edges.
It is not enough to merely talk the talk. This Administration and the House Republican Leadership has got to walk the walk.
Today, I join with George Miller in unveiling another, more comprehensive mine safety bill. It builds on the West Virginia bill, taking into account much of what we have learned in the aftermath of the mine disasters this year. It prescribes specific steps to address the glaring shortages in coal field safety. It reflects the true depth and breadth of our mine safety challenges.
The most gripping and eloquently expressed evidence to date of this Nation’s neglect of its coal miners came recently in the form of a letter from Sago survivor Randal McCloy to the families of his fellow miners. It paints a picture of hardworking, God-fearing men who put their lives in the hands of a broken system and slipped away while waiting for it to work.
This Congress has a moral obligation to those men and the miners toiling in the coal fields today to pass mine safety legislation and to do so now.
In this regard, I am heartened by Rep. Charlie Norwood’s sudden announcement yesterday afternoon that he intends to turn the attention of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee to the need for legislation later this month.
It is interesting that announcement came after this press conference was noticed, so I credit you, George, the Ranking Democratic Member on the Education and Workforce Committee for your diligence towards this cause. I believe I can speak for both of us in saying that we will do all possible to assist Mr. Norwood in this endeavor.
As well, it is encouraging to note that, today, on the other side of the Capitol, West Virginia Senators Byrd and Rockefeller have joined with Senators Enzi and Kennedy to offer new mine safety legislation scheduled for markup tomorrow. This is long overdue movement on a very important issue.
To the family members with us today, I am humbled by your strength. I know in my heart that your loved ones would be proud of you as you stand with us to honor them and to encourage on Congress to act to secure their legacy. God Bless you all.
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