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501 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

January 4, 2006

The Honorable Robert C. Byrd
United States Senate
Hart Senate Office Building
Room 311
Washington, D.C.
20510-4801

Dear Senator Byrd,

It is under the saddest of circumstances that I write to convey my sympathies to you and all West Virginians following the terrible mine disaster in Tallmansville that claimed the lives of twelve miners. I also want to convey our very best wishes for the prompt recovery of the sole survivor, Randall McCloy of Simpson.

Like West Virginia, Canada has a long and proud mining tradition. Indeed, there is extensive coal mining in my part of the country in Atlantic Canada. And like you, we have seen many of our hard-working coal miners lose their lives in mine tragedies such as the one in Upshur County. Canadians know that those who give of their labor to extract our natural resources make a major and often underappreciated contribution to our economy. We honor and mourn the lives of those killed as we have those of Canadians lost to coal mining.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my deepest condolences on this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

Yours sincerely,

Frank McKenna
Ambassador