Bill Text: NJ AR142 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expresses sympathy to victims of Soma, Turkey mining disaster of May 13, 2014.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-07-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AR142 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR142-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Expresses sympathy to victims of Soma, Turkey mining disaster of May 13, 2014.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution expressing sympathy to the victims and families affected by the recent Soma, Turkey coal mining disaster of May 13, 2014.
Whereas, On May 13, 2014, 301 miners perished when an explosion and fire triggered by a power distribution unit tore through a coal mine in the western Turkish town of Soma; and
Whereas, The explosion and fire caused a power outage that disabled the mine's elevators, trapping 787 miners nearly a quarter of a mile below the surface; and
Whereas, The trapped miners endured prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide gas released by smoldering coal deposits located throughout the mine; and
Whereas, The gas masks provided to the miners were manufactured in 1993, utilized antiquated technology, and contained filters that had expired years before the disaster; and
Whereas, More than 400 rescuers carried out a search and recovery effort that continued for several days; and
Whereas, Rescuers were able to save 486 miners despite the presence of fire, smoke, and deadly fumes throughout the mine's miles of tunnels; and
Whereas, Hundreds of volunteers traveled to villages hit especially hard by the tragedy to offer aid and comfort to survivors and the victims' families; and
Whereas, Despite the commendable efforts of rescuers and volunteers, the Soma, Turkey mining disaster is the most deadly mining disaster in Turkish history; and
Whereas, Thousands of workers in this region of Turkey toil in mines for approximately $600 per month in an industry that had already reported 4,500 accidents, 1,308 workers killed, and another 13,000 injured since 2002; and
Whereas, Tragedies of this magnitude transcend geographical boundaries, and it is altogether fitting and proper for this House to offer comfort, support, and sympathy to the victims of the Soma, Turkey mining disaster and their families; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House expresses heartfelt sympathy to the victims and families affected by the Turkish mining disaster of May 13, 2014.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Turkish Ambassador to the United States.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses sympathy to the families of the 301 miners who perished in the recent coal mine explosion in the western Turkish town of Soma. On May 13, 2014, an explosion and fire triggered by a power distribution unit trapped 787 coal miners a quarter of a mile beneath the surface. Smoldering coal deposits released carbon monoxide into the area occupied by the trapped miners, causing many of those trapped to die as a result of asphyxiation.
More than 400 rescuers braved fire, smoke, and toxic fumes in an effort to save the trapped miners. Ineffective gas masks and a power outage that disabled the shaft's elevators further complicated rescue efforts. Although rescuers ultimately extracted 486 workers from the mine, the May 13, 2014 explosion and fire in Soma, Turkey is the deadliest mining disaster in Turkish history.
In the days following the disaster, hundreds of volunteers traveled to Soma and surrounding villages to offer aid and comfort to survivors and the victims' families. Mining is an integral part of the Turkish economy, especially the region in which Soma is located. News of this tragedy gravely affects the towns and villages of this region where thousands work in the mining industry for meager pay and under dangerous conditions. Prior to the Soma disaster, the unsatisfactory conditions under which Turkish miners work already contributed to 13,000 injuries and 1,308 deaths since 2002. This resolution extends the deepest sympathy of this House to those affected by this tragedy.
