MONDAY, JANUARY 23. 2006
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3A
NATIONAL
Bob Bird/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Underground coal miner Phillip "P.J." Bias holds up his miner's 'dogtag' at his home in Ethel, WVa., Sunday. This simple brass tag, with his name and social security number stamped on it, is left on the miner tableboard before the miner goes underground and matches a twin tag attached to the miner's workbelt. This system informs rescuers who is inside the mine during an emergency
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Lawmakers demand safer mines
BY VICKI SMITH
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In death, 14 West Virginia coal miners have achieved something that just a month ago seemed an unlikely goal: Labor, industry and lawmakers are united in demanding that a dangerous subterranean occupation be made safer.
The bodies of Don I. Bragg, 33, and Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, 47, were found Saturday, two days after a conveyor belt caught fire inside the Alma mine in southern West Virginia. Their deaths came just weeks after a Jan. 2 mine explosion that led to the deaths of 12 other miners exposed to carbon monoxide inside the Sago Mine in the northern part of the state.
"This is a time for all of us who share responsibility for mining safety to come together and look for ways to make mining safer," said Carol Raulston, spokeswoman for the National Mining Association in Washington. "We have made dramatic improvements over the last 15 years, but there's more to be done."
UMW president Cecil Roberts said Congress and state legislatures must take steps to ensure existing regulations are strictly enforced.
"We must also develop new initiatives that will give every miner a vastly improved chance to walk out of a mine after an accident, alive and well and safe in the arms of their loved ones," he said.
Hours after the bodies of two missing miners were found Saturday in Aracoma Coal's Alma No. 1 mine at Melville, Gov. Joe Manechin and West Virginia's congressional delegation called for a major overhaul of state and federal mine safety laws.
A Senate Appropriations subcommittee schedules hearings
Both the National Mining Association and the United Mine Workers of America said Sunday that they, too, will press for change.
Manchin said he would ask West Virginia lawmakers on Monday to pass three bills being written over the weekend to improve rapid response to mine emergencies and set up electronic tracking technology for lost miners and reserve oxygen stations underground. He also plans to meet with federal lawmakers.
The Bush administration is reviewing safety equipment in mines after scrapping similar initiatives started by the Clinton administration. Miners' advocates said pulling those initiatives stopped potentially important safety rules from becoming reality; the Republicans cited changing priorities and resource concerns.
The Mine Health and Safety Act was written a year after a 1968 explosion at Farmington that killed 78 miners, including Manchin's uncle. Federal laws governing the construction of mine drainage settling ponds were adopted after 125 people where killed when an impoundment gave way in 1972 and flooded communities along Buffalo Creek, less than 20 miles from the Alma mine.
The owner of the Sago Mine, International Coal Group Inc., isn't waiting for federal action. President Ben Hatfield says he's already formed a team to pursue change.
"When people get mad, they're more likely to do something," said
"We must put into place common sense proposals like these that will provide improved safe-
Nationally, there were 22 mine deaths in 2005, a record low. Three of those were in West Virginia, the nation's second-largest coal producer.
Sen. John Rockefeller(D-West Viginia) who was with Manchin when the families of the Alma miners were told the men were dead. "When I go back to Congress ... what's happened at Sago and what's happened here, there's got to be a lot of mad people."
on mine safety Monday, and U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) who chairs the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee, which oversees mine safety, also planned a hearing.
If Manchin's effort results in federal action, it could be the third time that a West Virginia tragedy has had nationwide ramifications.
CORRECTION
ty and security for miners and their families," said Sen. Jeff Bingaman(D-New Mexico) which has the nation's fifth-largest underground coal mine.
An article in Friday's University Daily Kansan contained an error. The article "New design for KU Web site" should have said the deadline for implementing the new design is the end of January 2007 for all of the departments at the University with their own Web pages.
ON THE RECORD
A 46-year-old University of Kansas employee reported receiving a threatening telephone call at his house between 8:41 p.m. and 9:10 p.m., January 17.
- Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical was dispatched at 9:54 p.m., January 18, to Adams Alumni Center to put out a small grass fire. The department determined the fire was caused by a cigarette.
- A bulletin board caught fire at 11:36 p.m., January 19, in the north wing of the 10th floor in Oliver Hall. The fire damaged the bulletin board and caused minor smoke damage.
ON CAMPUS
- Jonathan Boyarin, professor of Religious Studies and History, is holding a seminar entitled "Responsive Thinking: Cultural Studies and Jewish Historiography" from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Hall Center.
The Multicultural Resource Center is hosting a luminaria walk at 7 p.m. tonight in front of Strong Hall. Following the walk, there will be a performance by the Inspirational Gospel Voices and a speech by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver in Woodruff Auditorium of the Kansas Union.
Kappa Sigma, 1045 Emery Road, appeared before its national headquarters Saturday for a hearing after its investigation last fall.
Investigation of Kappa Sigma continues after hearing
Scott Ferguson, Interfraternity Council president, said the situation is internal and no information about the scheduled meeting is available.
CAMPUS
The accusations against the fraternity are still unclear, but a report about Saturday's hearing and investigation should be out as early as Monday.
Kappa Sigma is the second fraternity to be investigated this school year. Sigmu Nu had its charter pulled in September after its investigation found violations in the fraternity's hazing policies.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Rachel Parker
Center for Community Outreach challenging. educating. empowering.
Natural Ties
Natural Ties facilitates weekly interaction between KU student organizations and individuals with developmental disabilities with activities to promote friendships.
For more information contact Annika Williamschen or Diane Delf at nties@ku.edu
H. U.G. Helping Unite Generations
HUG unites volunteers and senior citizens in local retirement homes with the intent to establish meaningful relationships.
For more information, Contact Julianne Kueffer or Jenny Wiens at hug@ku.edu
Project Bridge
lets volunteers knowledgeable in another language tutor people of all ages who are learning English as a second language.
January 23, 2006
information contact Vicki DeMaria or Kell Carson at pbridge@ku.edu
CAAS Concerned, Active and Aware Students
CAAS advocates for issues ranging from hunger and homelessness to environmental policy through service projects, educational events and publications.
If you have a project that you think deserves attention or want to start a volunteer initiative, contact the CAASS coordinators!
For more info, contact Carly Burger or Miranda Spini at caas@ku.edu
First Meeting of the Semester!
The Speaker is Robin Jennison a candidate for Governor.
7:00pm in the Kansas Room of the Kansas Union on Tuesday January 24th
Monday, January 23 | Lied Center | 7 pm *Plus: q&a session
The Case for Intelligent Design
Free Admission PLUS receive a copy of Y-ORIGINS magazine
Dr. William A. Dembski
Featuring noted mathematicians and
PAID FOR BY KU
Student Senate has begun accepting applications for the following replacement senator positions:
-Business Senator
-Graduate and Law Senator
-Freshman/Sophomore
CLAS Senator
-Junior/Senior CLAS Senator
-Social Welfare Senator
-Off-Campus Senator
Applications can be found in the student senate office in 410 Kansas Union and are due by 5:00 pm. Wednesday February 1st
Questions regarding eligibility or the applications process, please contact us by phone, 785-864-3710.
STUDENT SENATE
You've heard the politics and banter, now hear the
Sponsored by CRU-Campus Crusade for Christ www.kucru.com
scientific basis of Intelligent Design from a leading expert...
LAN
The University of Kansas Legislative Advocacy Network
LAN aims to connect students with their state and federal legislators. By building personal, non-partisan relationships to further lobbying efforts, LAN will increase awareness for higher education and promote student interests.
For further information please contact the Lobbying Coordinators of SLAB & Student Senate: Katie Loyd at kloydku.edu, or Chris Blackstone at chrisblackstoneku.edu.
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