Senator Jay Rockefeller today issued the following statement in remembrance of the January 2, 2006 mine disaster at Sago that claimed the lives of 12 miners and seriously injured another.
"I don't think any West Virginian remembers this day without heartache and profound sadness. Like all of us, my thoughts and prayers today remain with the families and the community that suffered this awful tragedy. It should never take a tragedy--or the anniversary of one--to remind us that mining coal is a dangerous job, and the men and women who do it for a living deserve every protection we can offer. We made some strides immediately after Sago, but it's just not enough. We need to do more. We need these tragedies to stop.
"We need to build on the mine safety improvements we made in the wake of the Sago
disaster--and those we've fought for after the tragedy of Upper Big Branch. Immediately after UBB, I introduced comprehensive mine safety legislation that takes the lessons learned at UBB and puts them into action. And I've introduced that bill in each of the past four years and will continue to fight for its passage. West Virginia coal miners and their families are counting on us to finally make needed changes. We cannot afford to waste any more time and put any more lives at risk."