From Deseret News archives:
Senate pays tribute to miners, rescuers
Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch, both R-Utah, introduced the resolution naming the six miners who remain trapped at the Huntington mine and the three rescuers who died trying to retrieve them.
"I have been saddened greatly by the events that have transpired in my home state throughout the past several weeks," Hatch said. "The Crandall Canyon Mine collapse and tragedy will forever be remembered for the grief we shared as a state, and the valiant and courageous efforts displayed by many. In the depths of this tragedy, heroes emerged, and our faith in the human spirit lives on through the sacrifices made by many to comfort, and save the lives of others."
Hatch said he was "blown away" by the kindness of people across the state to the families involved in the accident and the efforts by those trying to save the miners.
"The list is long and varied of many who have sacrificed and given their time, knowledge and resources to help in this tragedy," Hatch said, acknowledging the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, Murray Energy Corp., the U.S. Air Force and Utah's departments of Public Safety, Natural Resources and Human Services, as well as "most importantly of all the men, women and children living in the communities impacted by this tragedy."
"As our state and nation grapples with this tragedy and looks for answers, I do not want us in our haste to solve this tragedy to overlook the contributions miners and the mining industry has made to America for many, many years," Hatch said.
Bennett said the accident has "united" the mining community and the state.
"Far away from the mine fields, flags were flown at half-staff as the people of our state joined together in mourning for those who had lost their lives in this tragic accident," Bennett said.
He said Congress must do everything it can to stop these types of accidents from occurring.
"Hearings have been held, and we hope to learn as much as we possibly can and continue to work as hard as we can as a nation to see that the deaths in the mining world continue to decrease," Bennett said. "We recognize that whatever satisfaction we take from the fact that mining deaths have decreased over the decades, that still does not lessen the tragedy for those loved ones and co-workers who have seen this kind of death occur."
The House passed a similar resolution offered by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah; Rep. Chris Cannon , R-Utah; and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, on Sept. 5.
E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com
