Joe Manchin: “I rise to mark the tragic occasion of the worst U.S. mining disaster in 40 years. A year ago today, 29 brave and…”

“I rise to mark the tragic occasion of the worst U.S. mining disaster in 40 years. A year ago today, 29 brave and patriotic men went underground to mine the coal that powers our great Nation. They didn't come back. Our entire Nation grieved with their families for their tremendous loss. I rise to honor their courage, sacrifice, and the extraordinary strength of their families. I want to say a few words about the proud men and women today who go underground and go unrecognized and make sure that our great Nation can keep the lights on. When some people see a coal miner walk out from underground, they see some someone who is tired, wearing dust-covered overalls, steel boots, carrying a hard hat and a dinner bucket, and they make a few flawed assumptions about the amount of education they may or may not have or that they had nowhere else to turn, that was the only job available. I wish everyone to know that those assumptions are dead wrong. West Virginia coal miners are the backbone of this country, providing the power for the lights in this Chamber, the steel and the machinery that built our country, the greatest industrial power in the world, the military that keeps us safe and free, and the energy for homes and businesses all over the country. West Virginia miners understand geology, mathematics and physics, the way a seam runs through the Earth and how to safely extract its bounty to make our country stronger.…”