SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
(By Senators White, Hunter, Bailey, Barnes, Boley, Bowman,
Caruth, Chafin, Deem, Dempsey, Edgell, Facemyer, Fanning, Foster,
Guills, Harrison, Helmick, Jenkins, Kessler, Lanham, Love,
McCabe, McKenzie, Minard, Minear, Oliverio, Plymale, Prezioso,
Sharpe, Sprouse, Unger, Weeks, Yoder and Tomblin, Mr. President.)
Recognizing the tragic chain of events which began January 2, 2006,
in the Sago Mine near Tallmansville, Upshur County.
Whereas, On January 2, 2006, around 6:30 a.m., two crews of
miners entered the Sago Mine, near Tallmansville, Upshur County, to
resume coal production after the New Year's Day holiday. Soon
after, an underground explosion occurred and 13 members of the
first crew were trapped approximately two miles from the mine
entrance and 280 feet from the surface; and
Whereas, Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and methane gas
delayed rescue teams from entering the mine. Crews began to drill
in an attempt to monitor air quality in the mine and provide fresh
air to the trapped men; and
Whereas, Family and friends of the missing miners gathered at
a nearby church to pray for their safe return and to comfort each
other as they waited for news of their loved ones; and
Whereas, Shortly after 9 p.m., January 3, 2006, discouraging
news came from the rescue crew that the body of one miner was found and the fate of the 12 others remained unknown; and
Whereas, Just before midnight January 3, 2006, unconfirmed
reports indicated the remaining 12 miners were found alive.
However, in the early morning hours of January 4, 2006, jubilation
turned to grief when it was reported that 11 of the 12 missing men
had, in fact, perished; and
Whereas, The only survivor, Randal McCloy, Jr., was evacuated
to a West Virginia University hospital for treatment for various
ailments brought on by carbon monoxide poisoning; and
Whereas, Family and friends were devastated at the news of the
deaths of their loved ones, especially after the erroneous reports
that the 12 other miners had survived; and
Whereas, Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim Bennett,
Jerry Groves, George Junior Hamner, Terry Helms, Jesse Jones, David
Lewis, Martin Toler, Jr., Fred Ware, Jr., Jackie Weaver and
Marshall Winans, who perished in the Sago Mine disaster, should be
remembered as brave men who died providing not only for their
families, but also providing the nation with energy; and
Whereas, America should be proud of these 13 brave men who
placed themselves in the dark and dangerous environment of coal
mining in order to provide fuel for the nation's energy sources;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the tragic chain of events which began January 2, 2006, in the Sago Mine near Tallmansville,
Upshur County; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby remembers the brave
men who perished in the Sago Mine disaster and extends its sincere
sympathy to the families of Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett,
Jim Bennett, Jerry Groves, George Junior Hamner, Terry Helms, Jesse
Jones, David Lewis, Martin Toler, Jr., Fred Ware, Jr., Jackie
Weaver and Marshall Winans; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby expresses hope for
the recovery of Randal McCloy, Jr.; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the families of the 13 brave West
Virginians involved in the Sago Mine disaster.