House Dems Announce Mine Safety Field Hearing

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http://washingtonindependent.com/84409/house-dems-announce-mine-safety-field-hearing

House Dems Announce Mine Safety Field Hearing
By Mike Lillis 5/10/10 4:27 PM


The witnesses have yet to be named, but the House Education and Labor Committee, headed by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), announced this afternoon that panel leaders will soon be traveling to Beckley, W.Va., for a May 24 hearing on mine safety — a reaction to the blast that killed 29 miners not far from the town last month. The focus will be on the families of the victims, the committee said.

It’s unclear how many lawmakers will make the trek (Beckley is about 300 miles southwest of Washington). But those visiting for the first time will quickly recognize that local residents are no strangers to the perils of coal mining. Indeed, here’s a shot of a placard on the lawn of Beckley’s courthouse, where the hearing will take place: