Help Committee Approves President's Choices for Heads of Workplace, Mine Safety Agencies

HELP COMMITTEE APPROVES PRESIDENT'S CHOICES FOR HEADS OF WORKPLACE, MINE SAFETY AGENCIES

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded today's Committee confirmation vote in favor of President Bush's nominees for Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), Edwin Foulke, and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health (MSHA), Richard Stickler. "I look forward to working with Mr. Foulke and Mr. Stickler on some of the most important workplace and mine safety issues facing the country today," Enzi said. "I am pleased that the HELP Committee has acted quickly to recommend that the Senate confirm them."

Both nominations must now go to the full Senate for consideration. No vote has been scheduled.

"I believe Mr. Foulke is an excellent candidate who has demonstrated his knowledge and capabilities to oversee OSHA," Enzi added. "He has worked with businesses, employees, and labor groups to ensure that worker safety is on the top of every business' agenda. He understands that government red tape is no substitute for good policy to better protect workers from injuries and death on the job."

With regard to Mr. Stickler, Enzi stated: "Mr. Stickler provides a unique perspective as he started his career as a miner and worked his way up. He knows and understands every level of the mine industry. In light of recent mine tragedies, the HELP
Committee has started drafting mine safety legislation - the first major overhaul of mine safety legislation in 40 years. It is essential that MSHA have leadership to implement that legislation. Mr. Stickler will ensure that leadership."

http://help.senate.gov/Maj_press/2006_03_08_a.pdf