Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
released the following statement ahead of the
53rd anniversary of the Consolidation Coal Company’s
No. 9 Mine Tragedy in Farmington, West Virginia.
“Fifty-three years ago, West Virginia lost 78 brave coal
miners in the Farmington No. 9 mine disaster. This
immeasurable loss devastated the Mountain State, and to
this day we feel the loss of our fellow West Virginians.
My dear uncle, John Gouzd, along with one of my
neighbors and several high school classmates were in the
mine that day. For days, we all sat around the company
store waiting for updates about the fate of our loved ones.
I will never forget the look on my mother’s face when she
heard the news that her younger brother had died in the
explosion.
“Our community and the entire state came together to
mourn the lives we lost during that terrible tragedy. Even
one life lost while on the job is one too many and as
Governor, I fought hard to make necessary changes to
keep our miners safe so that we never experience these
losses again. As Senator, I continue my dedication to
improving safety conditions for our miners and ensuring
that all of our miners and their families are taken care of
for their hard work powering this great nation. I encourage
all West Virginians to take time this weekend to
remember and honor the 78 West Virginians who gave the
ultimate sacrifice for America.”
