[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 331 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.Con.Res.331
Agreed to February 9, 2006
One Hundred Ninth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and six
Concurrent Resolution
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 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.
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.