West Virginia bishop commends Bush, governor for new mine safety laws

Published: 2006-06-27

WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) -- Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston commended President George W. Bush for signing into law the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act June 15 to improve the safety of coal miners and to strengthen recovery efforts of miners who are trapped. He also commended West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, who was present for the signing at the White House, for state legislation passed in January. "In the past months, because of the great catastrophes in West Virginia and the loss of life, we have seen improved laws concerning the protection of our miners," Bishop Bransfield said. "It is to the governor's credit and recently to the president's credit that these mining laws have been updated." The MINER Act carries the first revisions to federal mine safety laws since the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .