Published June 2006 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd A Bittersweet Victory for Mine Safety In February, just a few weeks after the tragic events at the Sago mine in Upshur County and the Alma Aracoma mine in Logan County, the families of the men who lost their lives in those mines came to the U.S. Capitol. They carried a simple message with them: make our coal mines safer. In the days since, the West Virginia Congressional Delegation has made that mission our top priority. We introduced legislation aimed at fixing the worst problems evidenced at Sago and Alma. Our bill targeted emergency oxygen supplies and communications, better trained rescue teams, a more rapid response, and tougher enforcement of the safety laws on the books. That West Virginia bill, I am proud to report, served as the foundation for what is known as the MINER Act -- the first major mine safety legislation passed by the Congress and signed into law since 1977. This act, which Senator Rockefeller and I helped to write, passed the Senate unanimously and the House of Representatives with an overwhelming vote. The bottom line is that this new law will save lives. It will protect coal miners. It will mean tougher mine safety, better enforcement, and faster rescue in case tragedy strikes. I went to the White House to stand with President Bush as he signed the MINER Act into law. Families of our West Virginia coal miners also were there, holding pictures of their loved ones killed on the job. And Randal McCloy, Jr., was there with his wife, Anna. His ability to survive the Sago explosion, with the support of the men who were trapped underground with him, and his incredible journey toward recovery are an inspiration. That trip to the White House was a bittersweet one. All of us were proud of the progress that this new law makes for mine safety, but saddened that it has taken the deaths of 19 of our coal miners to put these commonsense safety improvements into law. The MINER Act is a good step forward for mine safety. But it is not the only step that we should take. Many new technologies and new safety ideas have been put into place in mining in Canada, Australia, and many other countries around the world. The United States Congress has clearly said that it is time for America to join the 21st century, and put the safety of our coal miners first and foremost. June 28,2006