Jay Rockefeller: “West Virginia is mourning the loss of 29 brave miners who died last week--most of whom never knew what hit them--when a…”

“West Virginia is mourning the loss of 29 brave miners who died last week--most of whom never knew what hit them--when a devastating explosion tore through the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, WV. It has brought the whole State to a dead halt. Even though it may never be possible to fully grasp the magnitude of this tragedy or to ease the pain of this devastating loss, we in West Virginia believe strongly in the power of prayer and in the grace of God. That has been important this week and will be in the weeks to come. We hold onto it--that feeling--and we offer it to one another and to the families, friends, and fellow miners who are grieving. We revere our miners--the men and women who put their lives on the line every single day to provide for their families and bring light and heat to millions. They live in obscurity. They work underground. Nobody knows much about it around the rest of the country, but it is heroic living, and they make this country work. We offer a heartfelt thanks to the rescue workers who risked their own lives.”