OCR Text |
Show Write Congressmen Now! It was my privilege to be present pres-ent when the decision was made by the membership of the National Association of Radiation Survivors Survi-vors (NARS) to unify behind a proposed congressional National Nuclear Ethics Law, which would provide the protection for our children, grandchildren, and future-generation, future-generation, which we did not have " and do not have now. These patriotic patri-otic men and women were committed commit-ted to this effort. "This is not a retrospective law, as was the Warner Amendment, but a prospective one that provides accountability and responsibility by simply saying: no more dishonesty dishon-esty or lying by the government or its contractors about radiation exposures. ex-posures. It is a step toward restoring restor-ing people's faith in the governmental govern-mental and legal process and would not jeopardize the perceived national security needs of the United States. "The perceived legitimate reason rea-son for the development of the U.S. nuclear weapons capability in the early 1940's, and the continued development and production of these weapons of mas destruction since that time, has resulted in the belief of the government and its contractors that they can expose unwitting citizens to ionizing radiation ra-diation in the name of national security, se-curity, and do it with impunity. "Through legal protection of contractors and defenses reserved for the government, the overwhelming over-whelming majority of these citizens citi-zens have lost their rights to adjudication adju-dication via both administrative and judicial processes. Many have been driven into poverty and despair des-pair because they have either lost, or been unable to obtain, commercial commer-cial health insurance and, in most cases, have been denied compensa tion through the Veterans Administration Admin-istration and Workmen's Compensation Compen-sation programs. Many have been supportive, patriotic citizens who have willingly made sacrifices for their country. Many feel that these sacrifices were not intended for a country that harms them and then tries to deprive them of the . "critical information they need to', protect themselves." (Proposed National Nuclear Ethics Law cover letter.) I am proud to be part of the national na-tional effort to see that future generations are protected by the proposed National Nuclear Ethics Law. From the time I became involved in-volved in this issue, in 1978, it has been to look at the past so that we could protect the future. I appreciate appreci-ate the support of my family and the sacrifices they have make, so that I could work in behalf of survivors. sur-vivors. I grew up downwind from the Nevada Test Site, when the testing was above ground and the AEC and the men in their Air Force blue uniforms would hold town meetings meet-ings to assure us that there was no danger. The flash would light up the pre-dawn sky and then the vibrations vi-brations from the blast would rattle rat-tle our windows. I deal daily with the heartache and death from those days. I am hopeful that the citizens of the country will now put pressure, pres-sure, through calls and letters, on their congressional representatives and senators, to see that this bill is passed into law as quickly as possible, pos-sible, to protect future generations. genera-tions. Elizabeth Bruhn Wright NARS Region JJ Vice-President Vice-President 2644-A Murray-Holladay Road Holladay, Ut 84117 |