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Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Miner Stamp
Press Conference
October 9, 2001
Thank you Congresswoman Capito for that introduction. It's a privilege
to be in the company of these distinguished Americans to encourage
congressional support for a commemorative stamp honoring America's coal
miners.
I want to thank the senior Senator from Kentucky, Congresswoman Shelly
Moore Capito and Congressman Paul Kanjorski for their strong leadership on
behalf of our nation's mining communities.
I also want to thank United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts, who
has been a long-time advocate of the miner stamp, and Jack Gerard from the
National Mining Association.
In August, Congresswoman Capito asked me to join her and Congressman Bob
Ney in urging the Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee and the Postmaster General
to authorize a coal miner commemorative stamp. I wholeheartedly accepted. I'm
here today in hopes of making this stamp a reality in the near future.
Generations of miners have sacrificed so much to provide the fuel for
this country's growth. Recent events have provided tragic reminders of this
truth. On September 27th, UMW President Roberts and I attended a memorial
service in Brookwood, Alabama. We were there to honor the memories of the 13
miners who died in the worst mining disaster in nearly two decades.
It was a stark reminder to us all of the dangers inherent in being a
coal miner and the brotherhood of courage that marks this profession. Miners
who barely escaped the first blast ran back into the mine to rescue those still
trapped- and lost their lives in doing so. No one was surprised at their
bravery. As one miner put it, "They probably didn't even give it a second
thought."
Our country's progress is due in no small part to the sacrifices of
generations of miners like these. The coal they produce fueled the locomotives
that drove the great westward expansion of the United States. Their sacrifices
produced the energy that powered our naval fleets and won World War II. Today,
coal-based energy lights our home and workplaces. Coal is an essential source
of domestic energy and President Bush wants to make sure it remains a vital
part of our economy.
As the tragic events of the recent weeks have shown, encouraging and
supporting our domestic sources of energy is key to our nation's security.
There is no better time than now to honor America's coal miners. They are the
foundation to our prosperity and a commemorative stamp will ensure that we
never forget their sacrifices. I urge Congress to pass resolutions calling for
a commemorative stamp honoring America's coal miners before this session
adjourns.
Thank you.
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