WHEREAS, every two years the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) host a national mine rescue contest in Reno; and

WHEREAS, on July 14-17, the great state of Nevada will host the National and International Metal and Nonmetal Mine Rescue Competitions; and

WHEREAS, for the first time ever nine international teams will compete against each other in a simulated mine emergency; and

WHEREAS, Mine Rescue, First Aid, Apparatus and Multi-gas detector participants will demonstrate their skills before the general public at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center; and

WHEREAS, this demonstration will provide the people of Nevada an opportunity to witness the speed and proficiency with which these teams administer first aid to the injured and conduct rescue and recovery work after mine disasters;

NOW, THEREFORE, I JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, hereby proclaim July 14 – 17, 2008 as