Obama to Deliver Eulogy for West Virginia Miners, Pledge to Improve Safety

President Obama will deliver a eulogy Sunday to honor the memories of the 29 workers who died in a West Virginia coal mine explosion earlier this month, while pledging to improve safety conditions in one of America's most dangerous professions. 

The president, returning from a brief vacation in Asheville, N.C., will meet privately with families who lost loved ones in the accident at the Upper Big Branch mine. He is traveling to Beckley, W.Va., in the heart of a region skeptical of his environmental and energy policies. 

According to the prepared remarks, Obama will use the tragedy as a call to action to improve mine safety. 

"We cannot bring back the 29 men we lost. They are with the Lord now. Our task, here on Earth, is to save lives from being lost in another such tragedy. To do what must be done, individually and collectively, to assure safe conditions underground," he plans to say. "To treat our miners the way they treat each other -- like family. For we are all family. We are Americans." 

While the president has ordered an investigation into the mine disaster, the speech Sunday will not be a policy speech. Much of it will focus on the contributions and lives of the miners who died. 

 

April 8: A florist delivers flowers for deceased coal miner Steven Harrah, 40, of Cool Ridge, W.Va.

 

 

Dozens of rescuers try to find missing miners after an explosion kills 25 workers Monday at an underground coal mine with a history of releasing vast amounts of highly combustible methane gas.

 

"All the hard work. All the hardship. All the time spent underground. It was all for their families. For a car in the driveway. For a roof overhead," he says. "These miners lived -- as they died -- in pursuit of the American dream." 

The afternoon memorial service also will include remarks from West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and Vice President Biden. 

In his remarks, Obama says letters poured into the White House after the April 5 disaster. 

"Postmarked from different places, they often begin the same way: 'I am proud to be from a family of miners,' 'I am the son of a coal miner,' 'I am proud to be a coal miner's daughter,"' Obama plans to say. 

"They ask me to keep our miners in my thoughts. Never forget, they say, miners keep America's lights on. Then, they make a simple plea: don't let this happen again." 

Lawmakers are moving forward with a review of industry safeguards. Obama has said safety improvements are needed. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.