04.22.10

Murray, Cantwell Introduce Resolution Expressing U.S. Senate's Condolences on Anacortes Refinery Tragedy

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate expressing the Senate’s condolences for the family, loved ones, United Steelworkers, fellow workers, and the Anacortes community on the tragedy at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. On April 2nd, 2010 an explosion at the refinery resulted in the tragic death of Daniel J. Aldridge, Matthew C. Bowen, Donna Van Dreumel, Darrin J. Hoines, Lew Janz, and Kathryn Powell. One worker who survived the explosion, Matt Gumbel remains in intensive care.

 

The resolution is expected to pass the Senate by Unanimous Consent.

 

The full text of the resolution follows:

 

United States Senate Resolution – Thursday, April 22, 2010

 

Expressing the sincere condolences of the Senate to the family, loved ones, United Steelworkers, fellow workers, and the Anacortes community on the tragedy at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington.

 

Whereas, the State of Washington, the Tesoro Corporation, and the United Steelworkers experienced a tragedy on April 2, 2010, when a fire occurred at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington;

 

Whereas, 6 workers died as a result of the tragedy: Daniel J.Aldridge, Matthew C. Bowen, Donna Van Dreumel, Darrin J. Hoines, Lew Janz, and Kathryn Powell;

 

Whereas, 1 worker, Matt Gumbel, remains in intensive care; Whereas Federal and State government agencies, including the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, are investigating

the tragedy and reviewing current safety procedures and processes to prevent future tragedies from occurring; and

 

Whereas, to support the victims and the families involved in the tragedy, the United Steelworkers Local 12-591 has established the Tesoro Incident Family Fund and the Tesoro Corporation and the Skagit Community Foundation have partnered to establish the Tesoro Anacortes Refinery Survivors Fund: Now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) expresses the sincere condolences of the Senate to the family, loved ones, United Steel Workers, fellow workers, and the Anacortes community on the tragedy at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington;

 

(2) honors Daniel J. Aldridge, Matthew C. Bowen, Donna Van  Dreumel, Darrin J. Hoines, Lew Janz, and Kathryn Powell; and

 

(3) offers the prayers of the Senate for a swift recovery to Matt Gumbel, who suffered severe burns as a result of the tragedy and is recovering in Seattle, Washington.

 

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