WASHINGTON, D.C. – Guam Delegate Jim Moylan (R- GUAM) alongside congressional members on both sides of the aisle are fighting to extend and enhance the Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act (RECA). The legislation includes Guam as part of the down winded areas impacted by nuclear testing. But the clock is ticking to get this legislation across the finish line.
“We are casualties of the Cold War,” said Mary Dickson, a downwinder from Salt Lake City, Utah.
In passionate and at times tearful speeches, people impacted by nuclear testing and uranium mining for the atomic bomb decades ago are speaking out on Capital Hill. They’re highlighting the severe harm the exposure has brought to them and their loved ones.
“Our government knew the winds blew from the west to the east and would be carried throughout the nation,” said Dickson. “They knew the radiation made people sick and would kill them and they poisoned us anyway. We are gathering up a sense of losses in our life: our sense of health, our wellness and our loved ones that we have buried. We live under the clouds of fallout. We paid a terrible price. Nuclear testing did not prevent nuclear war, it was a nuclear war and our government killed its own.”
Those impacted by exposure say they’ve developed illnesses like cancer.
“We are all suffering one way or another,” said another downwinder from New Mexico. “You know what my father and my uncle they were in the service they fought in the Pacific theater. They both died of what I got right now: pulimonary fibrosis. So now, what does my future look like?”
They’re joining members of congress, including Del. Moylan to pressure Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R- LA) to put the Senate’s Radiation Exposure and Compensation Reauthorization Act on the House floor for a vote. The legislation provides financial compensation to those impacted by nuclear testing and uranium mining. The legislation includes Guam’s downwinders.
“The downwinders throughout the years 24-something weapons were detonated,” said Del. Moylan. “The mushroom clouds and ashes just came over the people of Guam 4909 and the Mariana Islands.”
Moylan highlights the work of the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors (PARS) for their work on advocating for Guam’s inclusion.
“And this group has worked tirelessly over the years to include Guam in this reauthorization of RECA,” said Del. Moylan. “So by passing RECA into law, this is my highest priority and I will continue to advocate for this issue to make sure everyone exposed to radiation are compensated.”
In less than one month, RECA will expire. With only a handful of legislative days remaining before that deadline, congressional members said the time is now to put the legislation to a floor vote in the House.
“This is about justice in America,” said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D- NM). “This is about doing the right thing. All we need to do is get a vote scheduled.”
