Mine Safety and Health Act of 2006

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - February 01, 2006)

(Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, first I would like to thank the Nation and my fellow West Virginians for their prayers during our month of sorrow caused by our coal mining accidents. As you know, two major mining accidents took place in West Virginia, killing 12 miners at Sago mine in Upshur County and 2 at the Alma mine in Logan County. Today the West Virginia Congressional delegation, on a bipartisan basis, will introduce the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 2006. This mine safety legislation will require the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue regulations to provide for immediate notification of mine accidents, new regulations for mine safety teams, and to ensure a quick response and improve technology to keep miners safe.

This legislation creates an MSHA Office of Science and Technology and examine mine safety and rescue technologies, including refuge chambers. The world watched as tragedy was averted in Canada this past weekend because 72 trapped miners were able to escape to a designated safe haven. American miners deserve to have the best safety equipment as well.

It is important that this House act on legislation to improve the safety of our coal mines. I spent time with the friends and family of the Sago mine victims, both as we awaited the news of the rescue efforts and after we heard the tragic result. I do not want to watch more families endure what the families of the Sago victims have gone through.

I urge my colleagues, whether your State is a major producer of coal or not, to join the West Virginia delegation in helping to prevent future mine tragedies.

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