THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES MARY LUCILLE JORDAN TO THE FEDERAL MINE

SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

President Clinton announced today the reappointment of Mary Lucille Jordan as Chair and Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. Ms. Jordan will serve as a recess appointee. Ms. Jordan was renominated on May 1, 1996 and her nomination is pending before the Senate.

Mary Lucille Jordan of Takoma Park, Maryland, has served as Chair and Commissioner of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission since April of 1994 and has dedicated her career to mine worker safety and health issues. Previously, Ms. Jordan was senior staff attorney for the United Mine Workers of America from 1977 to 1993. In that capacity, she was responsible for directing litigation under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, and advised the United Mine Workers of America of relevant changes in legislation and case law. Ms. Jordan earned her B.A. from St. Boneventure University in New York in 1971 and a J.D. from Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1976.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC) was established by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Act). The Act, enforced by the Secretary of Labor through the Mine Safety and Health Administration, governs compliance with occupational health and safety standards in the nation's surface and underground mines, both coal and metal/nonmetal. The FMSHRC is responsible for deciding cases brought pursuant to the Act by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, mine operators, miners or their representatives. These cases generally involve review of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's enforcement actions including citations, mine closure orders, and proposals for civil penalties issued by violations of the Act. The Commission also has jurisdiction over discrimination complaints filed by miners and their representatives. The term for Ms. Jordan, who is one of three members serving on the five member Commission, expires on August 30, 1996. By statute, Ms. Jordan cannot serve as a holdover, and therefore must be reappointed as a member and designated chair at the time her term expires.

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