In response to Randal McCloy's letter to his co-workers's families in which he explained their tragic final hours in the Sago mine, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) renewed his call for action on the West Virginia Delegation's mine safety legislation.

“Randal McCloy’s survival is nothing short of a miracle. His heart-wrenching account of the last hours of his co-workers’ lives should spur this Congress to act on our legislation. "

“His account illustrates that insufficient air is available to our miners if tragedy strikes. Manufacturers had given guarantees that these rescuers would provide air for escape, yet these brave men were forced to share precious oxygen because that guarantee failed them. "

“The West Virginia Delegation’s mine safety legislation continues to languish in Committee. MSHA has come forward in a grudging fashion to implement only minimal reforms. It appears that the Congress has to prod them in order for the agency to implement proper protections for our miners."

“It is the Congress’ moral obligation to enact mine safety legislation — we owe it to Randal McCloy, his co-workers, those who perished in the Aracoma mine, and all their brothers and sisters in the mines.”