Honoring the coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia, extending condolences to their families and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the mine disaster.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman George Miller.

Mr. Speaker, last week, on Monday, April 5, an explosion tore through the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh, West Virginia, taking the lives of 29 good, hardworking men. It was the repeat of a recurring nightmare that has haunted the coalfields of our Nation for generations, and it is a tragedy that never should have occurred.

Immediately upon receiving news of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, I rushed to the scene to be with the families. For me, it was, unfortunately, not an unfamiliar circumstance. I have spent too many anxious hours within the aftermath of mine accidents in the midst of family and friends, of coworkers and survivors, awaiting word. The watching, hoping and praying for survivors to emerge from the darkness into the arms of their loved ones is a heart-wrenching exercise, but being surrounded by such warmth and love, generosity and faith is heartwarming at the same time.

The people of coal mining communities, in particular those of southern West Virginia, are a special breed. Generations of these families go into our mines. For so many of these miners, it is not a job; it is a calling. They live with the knowledge that there is risk, but they are proud to take that risk to labor in the company of good and loyal friends, to earn an honest paycheck in order to provide for their families and for themselves.

The miners at Upper Big Branch were just such men. Like coal miners throughout the ages, they did difficult work in dangerous circumstances. They labored underground in cramped conditions in the damp and the dark, but outside the mines, their lives were full of light and love and joy. They had wives and children and grandchildren. They hunted, pranked and laughed together, and they experienced many warm memories and gentle sorrows. While most Americans can scarcely imagine what a coal miner's day at work is really like or will never really understand our coal miners, we certainly appreciate what their labors have meant in our daily lives.

The toil of these coal miners, of all coal miners, has fueled our Nation's economic engine, ensuring our military security by providing coal not just to the generation of power but as an essential element in the steelmaking process. All coal miners are deserving of our gratitude and of our renewed commitment to ensure that such tragedies never occur again.

Countless individuals can be thanked for their help during this disaster. I thank our Governor, Joe Manchin, III, for his leadership; both of our U.S. Senators, Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd; our Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, who twice visited us during this week; her assistant secretary for Mine Safety and Health Administration, Joe Main, there every day and night; Ron Wooten, our West Virginia division Mine Safety and Health training director; Jimmy Gianato, director of our West Virginia Homeland Security. Both of these individuals were there every day and night, 24/7, for an entire week. I thank our West Virginia head coach, Bobby Huggins, for his uplifting visit to the families.

By all accounts, the explosion that took the lives of these 29 miners should never have happened in this time, in this modern era.

To quote the Mine Safety and Health Administration's administrator for coal mine safety and health, Kevin Stricklin, who fought every hour, 24 hours a day, to help find our coal miners, ``All explosions are preventable. It's just making sure you have things in place to keep one from occurring. It's quite evident that something went very wrong here.''

There are multiple layers of laws and regulations in place to prevent such a disaster. There are modern technologies. There were repeated, persistent inspections. And yet 29 men perished and one is hanging on in the hospital. That this deadly explosion occurred is infuriatingly, frustratingly heartbreaking, and I am determined that we will get to the bottom of it and ensure that steps are taken to prevent a recurrence of this type of explosion. We owe it to the miners who perished in Raleigh County last week. We owe it to their families. We owe it to their coworkers.

So many strong and tough West Virginians came together to pray and to help these families. Our West Virginia State Police stood by every family's side to help in any way they could. The American Red Cross, Billy Graham's Crusade, family members of previous mine disaster victims, and most importantly, our ministers, our pastors, our West Virginia Council of Churches, all who came from all over our great State to counsel, to cry, and to call upon God, who above all else will guide these families through this healing process.

With that inner strength that comes to the West Virginia people, we will get through this tragedy together. We will hold accountable those who failed our miners, so help me God.

Today the House of Representatives honors the 29 miners lost in Raleigh County last week. We express the condolences of our Nation to their families, and we recognize above all the valiant efforts of the rescue workers, those who placed their lives on the line to save other lives, who answered the call the other day. Our first responders, our paramedics, our law enforcement personnel all came together.

May the Good Lord keep our lost miners, may He care for their families, and bless those rescue personnel who risked their own lives in service to others. And may He watch over each and every coal miner who continues to work and continues to walk in the wake of risk in service to our Nation.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

I rise simply to thank my many colleagues in this body on both sides of the aisle that have expressed their condolences this week in the debate that has just occurred or rather to me personally or in phone calls. I know that my colleague from northern West Virginia, Representative Mollohan, called every day for a status update; and I appreciate the gentlewoman from the Second District, Representative Capito's, comments.

But most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I do recognize the work of the distinguished chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, my dear friend George Miller. We worked together following previous disasters that have been referenced during this debate, the Sago and Aracoma disasters that occurred in West Virginia as well about 4 years ago.

Reference has been made to the MINERS Act that was passed following past disasters. Many good parts of that were put in place by our operators across the State and were in place at this particular mine. Unfortunately, due to the severe nature of this blast, these features did not have a chance to trigger or to come into play. So something else needs to be done to prevent these disasters.

I salute the chairman again.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1236) honoring the coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia, extending condolences to their families and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the mine disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 1236 into the Record.

At this time, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.

As my colleagues have recounted, on Monday, April 5, an explosion rocked the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia, killing 29 miners and injuring others. This was the worst mine disaster in the United States in almost four decades. For over two centuries, millions of West Virginians' livelihoods have depended on extracting the State's richest coal deposits.

Coal has left an indelible mark on the communities throughout West Virginia and Appalachia. For many of these communities, the mine may be the only way to earn a decent living. These miners are proud of their work and their contribution to the American economy. Coal is in their blood, it is in their tradition, and it is their career.

But we also know that underground mining is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Every day miners show up for their shift knowing that there is a chance that they may not return to their families, yet they show up every day. At 3:30 p.m., during the shift change, a massive explosion ripped through the Upper Big Branch Mine and took the lives of 29 miners and sent others to the hospital. While the cause of this tragedy is still under investigation, today we memorialize those 29 miners who perished.

Our Nation sends our deepest condolences to those who have suffered this terrible loss. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to families who have lost a husband, a father, a brother, a son, or more. Those thoughts are with you and your communities in your suffering these devastating losses. These losses will remain long after the headlines fade from national attention.

Today we also recognize the valiant efforts of the many rescue teams, who in many cases traveled long distances and risked their lives in hopes of saving their fellow miners. Many rescuers had to evacuate the mine at least four times as a result of explosive levels of methane gas. These brave men and women, who worked around the clock day after day, have the appreciation of this Congress and this Nation for their selfless efforts.

I would also like to recognize Congressman Nick Rahall, who grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, only a few miles south of the mine. Congressman Rahall sponsored this resolution and provided the much- needed rock of support for his constituents during this disaster. Reports have come back to me of his consoling and listening to families, neighbors, and friends in his community. I know how much these families appreciate his support and those efforts.

Over the last few years I have met many families who have suffered similar tragic losses in mining disasters. And what I have learned is that the impacts of these disasters far range what we see in the general society because of the history of these communities, the culture of these communities, the work ethic in these communities. These tragedies spread across in an indelible way with the loss of a single miner.

In the face of these overwhelming tragedies, these families are showing incredible strength and determination. I made a promise to the families of Sago, to Aracoma Alma, to Darby, to Crandall Canyon that we would do everything in our power to uncover the cause of these tragedies and do everything possible to prevent other miners from suffering these similar fates. I want to extend that same promise to these families of Upper Big Branch Mine and to the miners in the community, that we will continue that promise and to get to the bottom of this tragic incident.

They paid the ultimate price in doing the job our Nation depends upon. Every miner who goes to work every day must be able to return home safely to their families at the end of that shift. And Congress has an obligation to ensure that that remains the case.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), subcommittee chairman of Workforce Protections.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall). But, tragically, we have been through this before. It's clearly the intent of the chair to work with the entire delegation. I tried to state it, maybe not as articulately as I had hoped to, but we fully understand that these tragedies in the mining community are felt across the State. They are felt across the region. The deaths may be isolated, but because of the history and the culture and the economy of these regions, we know that they are felt across the region, and we expect to work with the entire delegation and with the Senate delegation as we try to uncover what has taken place here with the tragedy that existed.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Speaker of the House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution. I thank the gentlewoman for her presentation of this resolution, and for all of those who participated in the debate.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

I thank the chairman for yielding. I thank him for his leadership on this important issue and the attention that he has called to it over time and the focus that he has had since day one when we learned of this tragedy.

I want to join our colleagues, Chairman Rahall, in whose district this tragedy occurred, Mr. Mollohan and Mrs. Capito to extend condolences to them. Because while this occurred in Mr. Rahall's district, I know the grief is felt throughout the State of West Virginia as it is being felt throughout our country.

Mr. Speaker, today in towns across Raleigh County, West Virginia, flags are flying at half staff. Their residents are mourning the loss of their fathers, brothers, and sons in last week's deadly mine explosion in Montcoal. Since then, people across our country have cried for them, have joined in the mourning; and today in the Congress we officially join these proud Americans in expressing our deepest condolences for the loss of 29 coal miners, 29 coal miners, in the worst mining accident in four decades.

We do so led by Chairman Nick Rahall, who has been on the scene of this catastrophe the last 1\1/2\ weeks. Congressman Rahall has prayed with his constituents, and he has consoled them. He has committed to work for better conditions, vigorous oversight of the mining industry, and rigorous enforcement of safety standards for America's mines. In doing so, he has worked with our chairman, Mr. Miller, in this regard.

As Congressman Rahall and other West Virginia leaders, including Congressman Mollohan and Congresswoman Capito, often remind us, this Nation is indebted to our coal miners for the difficult and dangerous work they do. Their contributions are a rich part of our Nation's history. Their labor makes our way of life possible.

But, last week, 29 families received a phone call that every coal miner's family fears; and as the communities of West Virginia grieved, the Nation grieved with them.

Now, with this tragedy first in our minds, we must redouble our efforts to minimize the risks to our mine workers and to ensure that they can do their jobs without a threat to their well-being.

When this tragedy occurred, I called Mr. Rahall, and his concerns were very personal about the families who were affected. I called the President of the United Mine Workers, Cecil Roberts, a visionary leader in our country, and his concerns were about the families.

But as we move away from that tragedy, our concern for the families must be reflected in our decisions here and the insistence that we have on upholding standards. We must, as I say, redouble our efforts to minimize the risk to those workers.

Today we acknowledge the brave efforts of their fellow coal miners who were part of the response team and other first responders who worked tirelessly in the hope of rescue and bravely on behalf of recovery.

Mr. Speaker, many of the families who lost miners this week have spoken of their deep faith and how that has comforted them.

On this House floor this morning, we were led in prayer by Bishop Simms from West Virginia, Mr. Rahall's constituent, and he shared with us how faith can see us all through, especially these families. On this House floor today we join them knowing that 29 brave souls are now in a better place.

Again, our condolences to every member of those families. To the communities, as Mr. Cecil Roberts said to us, we are all one family here in the mining community. I know Mr. Rahall expressed that sentiment to me as well.

Well, at a time like this it's important for the families of West Virginia and the coal mining community to know that, as a Nation, we are one family with them as well. I hope it is a comfort to them that so many people in our country mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow West Virginians and those of us in this Congress in support of today's resolution to extend our condolences to the families of the 29 miners who were killed in last week's mine disaster in Montcoal, West Virginia.

I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Rahall, for his steadfast support, his compassion, and his empathy for those in his district who have suffered an unimaginable loss. His strength and compassion was very evident to all of us who watched the activities as they unfolded in Raleigh County.

I would also like to thank our Governor, Governor Manchin. He was a stalwart comforter in chief to many of us because, as my fellow colleagues from West Virginia has said, if one West Virginian suffers, we all suffer.

I would also like to thank the outstanding efforts of the mine rescue teams and the many volunteers who provided their support and prayers.

The accident that occurred at Performance Coal Company's Upper Big Branch mine has taken an immense toll on all West Virginians and left a community shattered, very sad, and very shaken. After 6 days of waiting for any news, rescue workers located the four missing miners and found no survivors. While we were all hoping for a miracle, unfortunately, we were left with the sad conclusion.

Too many families have suffered the tragic loss of losing a loved one in a mine disaster. Last week's explosion was the worst mining disaster in an American mine in 40 years and the third major mining disaster in West Virginia in the last 4 years. An explosion at the Sago mine in my district on January 2, 2006, trapped 13 miners for nearly 2 days. By the grace of God, one miner survived.

We cannot forget the grief and suffering of the families, friends, and coworkers of all the miners who have died. These are deaths that can and must be prevented. The rescue workers were valiant, working around the clock to find their fallen brothers and to help the families in their horrible time of grief.

Following Sago, Congress rightly passed stricter mine safety regulations to enhance inspector programs, improve emergency response, and put in place protections to prevent future mine disasters. To ensure that all mines receive regular inspection, Congress has increased MSHA funding, because MSHA had been unable to meet these mandated responsibilities.

However, new rules and regulations are useless if they are not enforced. The coal companies must be vigilant and must follow the rules in every case. No excuses. Keeping our miners safe requires a collaborative approach between the regulators and the mining industry. Both must expand their health and safety programs to prevent hazards from starting in the first place. Otherwise, reforms Congress clearly intended to address with the passage of the MINER Act will be rendered meaningless. Congress has a very important oversight role in scrutinizing issues that lead to this disaster.

There must be, and I am sure there will be, a very thorough investigation into this tragedy to determine what further action must be taken to prevent this from ever happening again. I vow to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety and health of our coal miners.

I join today with my colleagues and really the entire Nation to extend our condolences to those families of the lost miners and to the communities surrounding. This is a devastating loss for all of us, and the warmth and prayers that have been sent to those of us living in West Virginia and particularly in the Montcoal area are welcomed and well received.

I ask my colleagues to join me in passing this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1236, which honors the 29 coal miners who tragically died in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South, extends condolences to the victims' families, and recognizes the valiant efforts of the emergency workers who responded to the mine disaster. H. Res. 1236 is an important measure that expresses our heartfelt sadness over this tragic loss of life in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Importantly, it also reaches out to the friends and families who are grieving their loss, and honors the selfless men and women who risked their own lives in responding to the disaster.

I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I would also like to thank the sponsor of this legislation, my friend Congressman Nick Rahall. The coalminers tragically lost in the disaster were his constituents and I know how heavily this tragedy is weighing upon him. But I also know his resolve to do all he can to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

Mr. Speaker, in West Virginia, coal mining is more than just a profession--it is a way of life, a vital part of the State's history and culture. However, the work done by coalminers has implications across the country. Our Nation is indebted to West Virginia coalminers for the dangerous work that they do on a daily basis to help power our Nation and keep it strong and secure. Despite repeated accidents in our Nation's mines, coalminers have returned to the mines time and again in order to support their families and provide the energy that helps fuel industry and power homes across the country. The 29 miners lost in the disaster were performing this important work and deserve our gratitude and appreciation. Just as important, their families deserve our condolences and support in this time of need.

It is also entirely fitting that we honor the brave emergency workers who responded immediately to the disaster and worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped and injured in the disaster. The emergency responders entered the Upper Big Branch Mine with full knowledge that they may never return from the mine. This willingness to put their own lives at risk in an attempt to save others is heroic and worthy of our continued gratitude and praise.

Finally, the tragedy in Raleigh County, West Virginia is a poignant reminder of the need to do more to ensure the safety of our Nation's mines. Hopefully, we can take this horrible tragedy--the worst mining disaster in 40 years--as a call to ensure that all necessary safety and health regulations are in place in our mines, so that coalminers can work in the safest possible conditions. In order to protect the lives of our Nation's miners and their families from tragedy, we must do all that we can to prevent future mining disasters.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1236.