KENNEDY ON STICKLER APPOINTMENT TO MINE SAFETY POST

The following press release was published by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Jan. 4, 2008. It is reproduced in full below.

Washington, D.C. - The Bush Administration today appointed Richard Stickler to be Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. Mr. Stickler’s recess appointment expired on Dec. 31, 2007. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement: “The White House has again gone behind the Senate’s back to install Mr. Stickler as head of the agency that is supposed to protect our nation’s miners. After almost a year and a half of Mr. Stickler’s stewardship, MSHA remains an agency in crisis and in need of strong leadership. I urge the President to send us a nominee who will give our brave miners and their families the kind of effective safety enforcement they deserve."

Source: Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions