"I offer my support to the families of the deceased and missing miners as they search for closure to the terrible tragedy at the Crandall Canyon Mine. I have the deepest respect for our Utah miners and the rescue workers who diligently searched to find their colleagues. The tight-knit mining communities of central Utah are strong and I have no doubt they will work together to heal from the loss of these great men.”

--Senator Bob Bennett, August 2007

			Senator Bennett speaks to reporters on August 7, 2007, at the Crandall Canyon Mine after receiving an on-site briefing from Richard Stickler, U.S. Department of Labor assistant secretary for mine safety.

Senate Approves Bennett/Hatch $1 Million Request to Study Mine Safety and Operations

The Senate unanimously approved an amendment by Utah Senators Bennett and Hatch on October 23, 2007, that will put $1 million toward a study conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, University of Utah, and West Virginia University to examine the practices and safety implications of deep mining which are common throughout Utah.

Click here for text of the amendment.

Senate Unanimously Passes Bennett and Hatch Resolution Honoring Utah Miners

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution on September 10, 2007, offered by Senators Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch honoring the sacrifice and courage of the six missing miners and three rescue workers who were killed in the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster.

To listen to Bennett’s floor speech click here.

Click here to read copy of resolution.

Bennett Probes Mine Safety and Health Administration About Crandall Canyon Mine Tragedy

To listen to Senator Bennett’s opening statement click here (audio) (video)

Bennett questions former MSHA Administrator J. Davitt McAteer (audio) and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety Richard Stickler (audio) at the mine safety hearing.

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

Bennett Encourages Department of Labor to Work With Utah Mine Safety Commission

On August 24, 2007, Governor Huntsman appointed Scott Matheson Jr. to lead the Utah Mine Safety Commission to help determine what the state's role should be in protecting coal miners. The commission will hold public hearings in Huntington, Price and other communities before making recommendations to Governor Huntsman.

Senator Bennett and the other members of the Utah congressional delegation sent a letter to the Department of Labor urging them to work with Utah's Mine Safety Commission.

Read the letter from Utah’s congressional delegation

Additional Press Releases

Senators Bennett and Hatch Push for $1 Million to Improve Mine Safety and Operations (10/19/07)

Senate Unanimously Passes Bennett and Hatch Resolution Honoring Utah Miners (09/10/2007)

Bennett Probes Mine Safety and Health Administration About Crandall Canyon Mine Tragedy (09/05/07)

Senator Bennett Offers Condolences to the Families Who Lost Loved Ones at the Crandall Canyon Mine (08/17/07)

Bennett Offers Support to Miner Families and Rescue Crews (08/07/07)