National Miners Day honors America's miners

<span>On December 3, 2009, Congress passed Senate Resolution 377, which designated Dec. 6 of each year as National Miners Day.</span>

<span>On Friday, December 6, 1907, at the Fairmont Coal Companies' No. 6 and No. 8 mines in Monongah, WV, 362 miners lost their lives in an explosion which became the worst mining disaster in U.S. history.</span>

<span>According to the National Mining Association (NMA), more than 1.2 million miners nationwide provide consumers and manufacturers with coal, gold, copper, nickel, chromium, gravel, phosphate and other resources used in highway and home construction, as well as agriculture.</span>

<span>"The employees of Knight Hawk Coal exemplify what is best about the mining industry," said Knight Hawk Coal President Steve Carter. "Their high standards when it comes to work ethic and creating a safe work environment have helped create a small business that makes a big impact on this region.</span>

<span>"I salute them on this, National Miners Day."</span>

<span>Resolution 377 proclaims the following:</span>

<span>*Whereas the foundations of civilization are constructed from, advanced by, and sustained </span>

<span> with, the materials procured with the sweat and blood of miners.</span>

<span>*Whereas the miners of the United States have labored long and hard over our nation's </span>

<span> existence to make it the economically strong, militarily secure Nation that it is today.</span>

<span>*Whereas miners and their families have achieved, provided, and sacrificed so much for the </span>

<span> betterment of their fellow Americans.Whereas miners have struggled, in their lives and in </span>

<span> their work, to obtain health and safety protections.</span>

<span>*Whereas the terrible mining tragedy at Monongah, West Virginia, that occurred on </span>

<span> December 6, 1907, is recognized for causing the greatest loss of lives in American industrial </span>

<span> history, and this tragedy helped to launch the national effort to secure the safety and health </span>

<span> of our miners that continues to this day.</span>

<span>*Whereas miners still today risk life and limb in their labors.</span>

<span> Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate: </span>

<span>(1) Designates December 6, 2009, as "National Miners Day," in appreciation, honor, and remembrance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of the miners of the Nation; and </span>

<span>(2) Encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities celebrating and honoring the contributions of miners.</span>