Recognizing the tragic loss of life that occurred in the underground coal mine at Cherry, Nov. 13, 1909, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 752 Wednesday to honor the 259 men and boys lost in the accident and the workplace safety reforms it inspired.

"One hundred years ago Cherry, Ill., experienced one of the deadliest coal mine disasters in American history, this resolution ensures that those lives lost are never forgotten," said resolution sponsor U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, on the House floor.

"We"ve seen tremendous progress since that event. Workplace safety has improved by leaps and bounds thanks to legislation to improve worker safety. I"m proud to have worked with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to bring attention to this disaster, and to remember those who perished."

The Great Cherry Mine Disaster fire started hundreds of feet below ground at the Cherry Mine and quickly spread throughout the mine. Twenty-one miners managed to survive underground for eight days until they were rescued. Of the 259 miners who died, four were children.

In the aftermath of the disaster, reforms were enacted at the state and federal levels to improve mine safety and worker safety. In 1910 Congress passed legislation creating the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The same year the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation requiring mine operators to maintain firefighting equipment and in 1911 enacted Illinois" first worker"s compensation law for workers who are injured on the job.

The village of Cherry will remember the lost men and boys in special ceremonies on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15. Watch for more coverage of the event in next week's Times.