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Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Miner Memorial
Service in Alabama
September 27, 2001
Good evening. Governor Siegelman, Senator Shelby, Senator Sessions,
Congressman Bachus, Mayor Hyche, President Cecil Roberts, leaders and members
of Local 2368, and families and friends: I am honored to be here, representing
our President, George W. Bush, to pay respect to those heroes who have been
lost.
These have been heart-rending days. Just yesterday, I was in New York,
standing at the spot that the entire world now knows as "Ground Zero," where
the World Trade Center once stood.
And this afternoon, along with Senator Sessions, I visited another
"Ground Zero" not very far from here, the site of the worst mining disaster
since 1984.
Senator Sessions and I met with management, labor, state officials, and
MSHA representatives.
In both places, we have seen images of destruction that have forever
seared our memory. And in the deepest darkness of these tragedies, we have also
seen the best that America has to offer.
We saw people rushing instinctively toward the danger - instead of away
from it - to try to save others. We've all heard the stories of miners who
barely escaped the first blast running back into the mine to help those still
trapped. As one No. 5 miner, Michael Goggins, said, "They probably didn't even
give it a second thought."
These are the heroes of America. Whether they were firefighters from
Brooklyn, New York, or miners from Brookwood, Alabama, America's heroes are
mostly ordinary people who carry out extraordinary acts with extraordinary
courage.
We also hear a refrain rippling across this country with a fervor that
could make it our new national motto: "How can I help?"
That's the question on the lips of every single American today, as
contributions pour into relief agencies and steelworkers volunteer for 12-hour
search-and-rescue shifts in NY. At the Department of Labor, one of our health
and safety inspectors insisted on giving up his religious holidays so he could
keep helping out.
Here in Brookwood, people are asking the same question: "How can I
help?" When I served as President of United Way of America, I saw first hand
every day the generous heart of America. But in these last weeks, in small
towns and big cities, that generous heart has poured open like never before.
At the same time, we Americans are a practical people. So we're also
asking, "Why did this happen?" I must leave the theological answer to that
question to the members of the clergy who are with us tonight.
But whether it be the terrorist attack on September 11th or the mine
disaster that claimed 13 lives this last weekend, we are determined to do
everything we possibly can to keep it from ever happening again.
I have directed the Mine Safety and Health Administration to conduct a
full investigation immediately - to find out what went wrong and to identify
what must be done to protect miners' lives in the future.
I know that is little consolation to the families, friends and
co-workers of those who lost their lives in this accident. There is no
government action that could possibly soothe the sadness and pain that all of
us feel.
But I wanted to be here on behalf of this Administration to assure you
of one thing: even in the midst of everything else that is gripping our nation
right now - defending America from further attacks and preparing for war
against terrorism - your country shares in your grief.
We are praying with you, and we are standing with you.
Together, we will give each other the courage to walk through the days
ahead. And may the "peace that passes all understanding" guard each of our
hearts.
Thank you.
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