U.S. Reps. Miller and Woolsey Statement on Crandall Mine Tragedy 

Friday, August 17, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), the chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, issued the following statement today on the collapse at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah. The Education and Labor Committee has jurisdiction over worker safety issues and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration:

"The latest news from Crandall Canyon is extremely disturbing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the rescuers, their families, and the trapped miners. The three rescuers who died made heroic attempts to reach the trapped miners and they paid with their lives. The nation owes them and their families profound gratitude for their enormous sacrifices. The unfolding tragedy at the Crandall Canyon Mine has once again raised serious questions about mine safety and what we must do to improve it. The Education and Labor Committee intends to answer those questions by investigating and convening hearings at the appropriate time. Obviously, right now the only job that matters is the job of reaching the six trapped miners while limiting, as much as possible, the risk to rescuers."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
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