On the recordSeptember 28, 2010
I rise to talk about an issue of incredible importance to my home State of West Virginia, to the Presiding Officer's home State of Virginia, and, indeed, to our entire country; that is, the safety of our coal miners. Unfortunately, during the past 4 years, West Virginia has dealt with three significant mining disasters. On an early morning in January 2006, an explosion rocked through a central West Virginia coal mine killing 12 people. Less than a month later, tragedy struck again at a mine fire in Logan County, where two more miners were lost, and just this past spring, West Virginians mourned, yet again, when 29 of their neighbors were lost in the worst coal mining disaster in nearly a half century. Through these tragedies, our Nation was sadly reminded of the dangers and risks miners face every day to provide a living for their families and affordable energy for our country. We collectively were reminded how important it is for miners, companies, and regulators to work together to keep our mines safe.
