MAISIE CROW / SPECIAL TO THE SUN

“Rusty’s death was not his fault,” Cole told the committee, despite Nevada OSHA’s ultimate finding that he alone was responsible and the contractor bore no responsibility. “The OSHA photos of his crushed and lifeless body will forever overshadow the energetic and fun-loving life of this kind and generous man.”

By Alexandra Berzon (contact)

Wed, Jun 25, 2008 (2 a.m.)

MAISIE CROW / SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Monique Cole, sister of late Las Vegas ironworker Harold Billingsley, wipes tears from her eyes as her husband, George Cole, listens Tuesday during the hearing on Capitol Hill.

Washington — George Cole ended his remarks before the House Education and Labor Committee with a plea.

“I hope my testimony before you today will prevent future fatalities and help bring closure to our family,” Cole said.

The retired ironworker and contractor had testified about the death of his brother-in-law, Harold “Rusty” Billingsley, an ironworker who fell 59 feet at CityCenter last year.

Seated behind Cole as he testified was his wife, Monique. She cried quietly as he spoke to the committee, but she said afterward that it helped the mourning process to see that others were as outraged as she to learn of weak enforcement of Nevada’s safety regulations after her brother’s death.

“I was so glad for my family,” she said as she followed her husband out of the hearing for a much-desired cigarette. “We were delighted to find out the general population was appalled, too.”

Monique Cole took particular comfort in words from the committee chairman, Rep. George Miller of California, who sharply criticized Nevada OSHA for withdrawing the fines levied against contractors after the death of her brother in Las Vegas.

“He was speaking for me,” she said. “He was my voice.”

She and George soaked in the bittersweet attention on the Hill on Tuesday.

Ironworkers President Joseph Hunt presented the family with several signed books extolling the work of ironworkers throughout the past century.

Las Vegas Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley offered them a tour of the Capitol.

Nevada Rep. Jon Porter, a Republican, attended the hearing briefly to give the Coles a flag that had flown above the Capitol, in honor of Rusty.

Monique Cole said her first trip to the nation’s capital was a success.

“We accomplished what we came to accomplish,” she said.