WASHINGTON, D.C. – For decades, radiation survivors on Guam have been advocating to be included in the so-called Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). It provides benefits for those who became sick from nuclear test sites. Last year, congress almost approved adding Guam in RECA’s coverage but that effort fell short.
Robert Celestial, the founder and president of the Pacific Association for Radiation Surviors (PARS), pulls out a 2005 book from the National Academy of Sciences which focused on radiation exposure.
“It says as a conclusion and a result of its analysis the committee concludes Guam did receive atmospheric testing nuclear weapons in the Pacific,” said Celestial. “Guam during that period should be eligible for RECA for persons considered to be ‘downwinders’.”
RECA provides benefits for people impacted by nuclear testing. Nearly 70 years ago, the US began testing nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands. According to a book from the National Academy of Sciences, Guam received radioactive debris from fallout during the nuclear-weapons testing. PARS, which has a little more than one-hundred members, has been pressing congress for decades to include Guam in RECA benefits.
“The majority of members are cancer survivors,” said Celestial. “The health benefits would help people of Guam.”
Last year, there was a major push to include Guam in RECA’s coverage but that effort fell short. Negotiators for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), took out RECA’s extension, which essentially ends RECA claims in the summer of 2024.
“It’s important to the island,” said Guam’s Congressman Jim Moylan (R- GUAM). “There’s a lot of work that has been done on this.”
Moylan said he’s working with members in both chambers and across the aisle to extend and include Guam for RECA’s coverage.
“There were several ailments that have happened because of exposure and this is why we have to assist these folks and RECA will provide them the funding to hopefully improve the quality of life and battle the diseases that have complicated their lives,” said Moylan.
“It would bring a lot of comfort to those who are still alive,” said Celestial. “People have sold their houses, lost a lot of their jobs. The same thing as those people in the United States suffering from cancer and diseases caused by the nuclear testings. We are hopeful. We will take one day at a time. we don’t know what the future is, but we will continue to advocate.”
