Nick Rahall: “America's courageous, hardworking coal miners have long provided the fuel that powers this Nation. And while doing so…”

“America's courageous, hardworking coal miners have long provided the fuel that powers this Nation. And while doing so, they labor in some of the toughest, most dangerous work environments. For that reason, our Nation has long recognized its duty to ensure their health and safety on the job. God bless our Nation's coal miners. This year has been a tragic one in our coalfields. We have, to date, lost 48 miners, and we witnessed the worst coal mine disaster in 40 years, already referenced on the floor, losing 29 young lives in one blast in my home county. We have much work to do in our mine safety system, though I urge my colleagues not to paint the coal industry with too broad a brush. There are many coal companies with admirable safety records, with time and money devoted to keeping their miners safe. Several of them have worked diligently with myself and with Chairman Miller and the Education and Labor Committee to make improvements to this bill. They are models for the industry and employers everywhere. I take this moment to salute the chairman of our Education and Labor Committee, George Miller, for the manner in which he has worked not only on this legislation but all previous coal mine health and safety legislation as well.”