Robert Byrd

Thank you for more than 40 years of standing up for coalminers.

There's been a savings of 29,000 lives because Congress saw fit to act in 1969.

Aside from the health and safety laws, what unconventional remedies exist to deal with a rogue mining company that has a reputation for flouting the law?

Let us also hope that this hearing will provide information on the Government and company officials who should be held accountable.

Congress has authorized the most aggressive miner protection laws in the history of the world--history of the universe.

No one has done more for miners in this country than Senator Robert C. Byrd, of West Virginia.

I cannot fathom how an American business could practice such disgraceful health and safety policies while at the same time boasting about its commitment to safety of its workers.

These laws are also jeopardized when the miners themselves are not incorporated into the heart of the inspection and enforcement process.

I don't believe it was because of lack of funding. I don't believe that MSHA lacked enforcement authorities. I don't believe that.

The Senate has been the last fortress of minority rights and freedom of speech in this Republic for more than two centuries. I pray the Senators will pause and reflect before ignoring that history and tradition in favor of the political…

The Senate is more important than any or all of us, more important than I am, more important than the majority and minority leaders, more important than all 100 of us, more important than all of the 1,843 men and women who have served in…

I think that as long as we have respect for the institution and for the Minority to be heard, that this will bring accountability to the process.