Dean sends thoughts to WV miners' families...will be in WV next week.

Today we join Americans all over the country in sending our thoughts and prayers out to the brave families and loved ones of the twelve coal miners who perished in the Sago coal mine in Tallmansville, West Virginia. Our hearts go out to this community which has suffered a tragic loss after a harrowing experience. The one blessing in this tragedy has been the rescue of a single miner.
Through it all, West Virginians have showed a tremendous sense of support and community. It is this same sense of community and togetherness that will help West Virginians through these tragic events.

How terribly tragic. Like so many Americans, when I finally laid my head to rest yesterday evening, I did so under the impression that all but one of the miners had miraculously survived. As I said my evening prayers, I let my thoughts drift to that one family whose loved one didn't make it, unable to even begin to comprehend what they were feeling at that moment. And then we all woke up together to the terrible news, that in fact only one had survived. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of loved ones lost in West Virginia.

Charleston, WV (HNN) – Former Vermont Governor and current Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean will be the keynote speaker at a Democratic Party Unity fundraiser on Jan. 10, 2005 at the Charleston Marriott Pavilion. The 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. event is sponsored by Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, Governor Joe Manchin, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and Speaker of the House Bob Kiss as well as Democratic members of the Board of Public Works.

“Chairman Dean’s appearance demonstrates in no uncertain terms that the National Democratic Committee is enthusiastic about making gains in the Mountain State,” said Nick Casey, West Virginia Democratic Party chairman. The state went for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. “Five years of skyrocketing deficits, out of control health care costs, and record gas prices have tried the patience and the pocket books of the American voter,” said Casey.

“People are hungry for change — and that change begins with the off-year Congressional elections in ’06,” said Casey. “Shelley Moore Capito has too often voted for the interests of her out-of-state contributors like the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry over those of her constituents back home,” said Casey. “She’ll have to answer for those votes in November of next year.”

“Unlike Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Byrd, Congressman Mollohan and Congressman Rahall don’t believe that cutting taxes for the wealthiest one percent of Americans while cutting programs for the poor and the middle class is ‘sound fiscal policy,’” added Casey.

“We’re excited to have Chairman Dean in the Mountain State and we look forward to a successful event and to victory in November,” said Casey.