House Proceeding on Oct 28th, 2009 :: 1:15:45 to 1:35:45
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1:14:55 to 1:15:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Frank Jr.Pallone

1:15:29 to 1:15:50( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Jr.Pallone: gentleman yields back his time. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 787. so many as a in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid

1:16:39 to 1:16:59( Edit History Discussion )

upon the table. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts rise? mr. lynch: good morning, mr. speaker. i move the house suspend the rules an s amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 568, resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of john brown's raid

1:17:00 to 1:17:22( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: in harpers ferry, west virginia. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentle mr. lynch, and the gentleman from ohio, mr. jordan, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizing recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. lynch: i ask to amend my request. and instead call up -- both speak remembers not ready for

1:17:00 to 1:21:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Stephen F. Lynch

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Stephen F. Lynch: that bill so i'd like to have house resolution 790. the speaker pro tempore: dot the gentleman withdraw his motion? mr. lynch: yes. the speaker pro tempore: the for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts rise? mr. lynch: i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 790 as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will repor the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 790,

1:17:45 to 1:18:05( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a national day of remembrance on october 30, for american nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers, and haulers. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. lynch, and the gentleman from ohio, mr. jordan, each will control 20

1:18:06 to 1:18:26( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: the chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. lynch: thank you, mr. i ask unamous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. lynch: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gent mr. lynch: mr. speaker, on behalf of the committee on

1:18:27 to 1:18:47( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: oversight and govement reform, i'm pleased to present house resolution 790 for consideration. this legislation expresses our support for the goals and ideals of the national day remembrance on octor 30, 2009, in honor of america's nuclear weapons program workers, uranium miners, millers, and haulers.

1:18:48 to 1:19:08( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: house resolution 790 was introduced by my friend and colleague, representative shelley berkley, of nevad on october 1, 2009, and it enjoys the support of over 50 members of congress. in addition, the united states senate unanimously approved a companion measure to this legislation, senate resolution

1:19:09 to 1:19:29( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: 151, on may 20, 2009. mr. speaker, house resolution 790 seeks to honor the hundreds of thousands of uranium and nuclear weapons workers who have served our nation at great personal sacrifice since world war ii and during the height of the cold war. regrettably many of these dedicated workers developed disabling and fatal illnesses,

1:19:30 to 1:19:51( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: including cancer and lung disease, as a result of workplace expose to beryllium, and other hazards associated with the development and testing of nuclear weapons. as noted in 2007 by denver's "rocky mountain news," which published a report on the human costs associated with the domestic production and

1:19:52 to 1:20:12( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: development of nuclear weapons, nearly 37,000 americans have suffered from serious illness as a result of their exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals during their employment at above ground nuclear weapons test sites and underground uranium mines. the same publication additionally reported that at least 4,000 of these nearly

1:20:13 to 1:20:33( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: 37,000 individuals have died as a result of illnesses associated with their work. moreover it's important to note these statistics were only based on government figures. tracking those individuals that have been approved for compensation. as additionally noted by the "rocky mountain news," many other nuclear weapons and

1:20:34 to 1:20:54( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: uranium workers may have been affected though they have yet apply for compensation or have had their claims denied due to the difficulty in establishing a causal connection between their illness and their work. mr. speaker, these dedicated workers have served our nation at great risk and sacrificed to not only themselves but to

1:20:55 to 1:21:15( Edit History Discussion )

Stephen F. Lynch: further generations of their fa it is my hope that we can honor their service and sacrifice through the passage of house resolution 790. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting ms. berkley who is the lead sponsor of this resolution and expressing our support for the goals and ideals of a national day of remembrance

1:21:16 to 1:21:37( Edit History Discussion )

James Jordan: for american nuclear and uranium workers. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. jordan: thank you, mr. speaker. let me thank mr. lynch and ms. berkley for this legislation. i yield myself may consume. the gentleman is recognized. mr. jordan: please join me in supporting house rolution 790 to honor the patriots who served their country in the nuclear weapons program.

1:21:20 to 1:22:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: James Jordan

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James Jordan: the development of the american nuclear weapons program depended upon the commitment, sacrifice, and service of hundreds of thousands of workers since world war ii. sacrifice of these workersor america's security and technological advancement is patriotism at its finest. all americans owe a debt of gratitude of america's nuclear weapons program. we should honor their contributions with a national

1:22:01 to 1:22:13( Edit History Discussion )

James Jordan: day of remembrance for nuclear weapons workers and miners, millers, and haulers. therefore i urge you to support house resolution 790 to show our appreciation for all these men

1:22:14 to 1:22:35( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: and women who sacrificed protect our nation. thank you, mr. speaker. i reserve the balance of m time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. lynch: thank you, mr. speaker. at this point i would like to recognize representative shelley berkley, the lead sponsor of this resolution, for five minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for five minutes. ms. berkley: i thank the gentleman for yielding. i particularly like to thank my colleagues, representative towns

1:22:15 to 1:24:50( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Shelley Berkley

1:22:36 to 1:22:57( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: and issa, for expediting the floor consideration of this resolution because it is very time sensitive. i'd also like to thank mr. wamp for his work on this resolution and for joining me as a lead co-sponsor. mr. speaker, i rise in strong support of house resolution and support of the hundreds of thousands of men and women

1:22:58 to 1:23:18( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: who served this nation in building and nuclear defense systems world war ii. in my home state of nevada we have thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens who worked at the nevada test site, the essential nevada test site, and put themselves at great risk to make sure america had

1:23:19 to 1:23:39( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: first-rate nuclear weapons program. from the nuclear scientists, to the janitors, to the secretaries and drivers these people devoted their lives in defense of their country, creating a weapons program for our nation's security and defense. and many were unwittingly exposed to beryllium and

1:23:40 to 1:24:01( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: ionizing radiation and other toxic substances and hazards. many of these extraordinary workers have since developed deadly diseases, mostly cancer, as a result of their work at the nevada test site. and other sites around the country in georgia, kentucky, new mexico, ohio, in texas just to name a few. and so we stand here today to

1:24:02 to 1:24:23( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: honor these heroes and to call upon our fellow americans to do so as well. in my home state of nevada, the atomic testing museum on the grounds of the university of nevada las vegas where my colleague, congresswoman dina titus taught, and is an expert in this field, we will host an

1:24:24 to 1:24:44( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: event at the atomic museum on october 30, this friday, to honor and remember those who sacrificed in order to protect our great nation. whatever one may think of america's nuclear program, we can all agree on one thing, these workers deserve our thanks and our gratitude for their work

1:24:45 to 1:24:50( Edit History Discussion )

Shelley Berkley: and for their subsequent sacrifices. i thank them, i thank my colleagues once again for their

1:24:51 to 1:25:11( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: support, and i urge my row soundingly in favor of this resolution. i yield back the balance of my time. the speake gentlelady yields back her time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. jordan: mr. speaker, i yield as much time as he to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. wamp. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. wamp: i thank the speaker. i thank the distinguished ranking member and chairman of

1:24:55 to 1:29:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Zach Wamp

1:25:12 to 1:25:32( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: the subcommittee and the ranking member a chairman of the full committee, and especially ms. berkley for her initiative on this important resolution. one of the greatest privileges of my service here over the last 15 years is representing oak ridge, tennessee. which played a brit cal role in the defense ever our country from -- critical role in the defense of our country from the

1:25:33 to 1:25:53( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: manhattan project forward. as we know since 1942 almost 3/4 of a million people have worked in this industry, nuclear industry. this country have been called during war to serve in the uniform of our country, some volunteered, some mandatorily, many who are

1:25:54 to 1:26:16( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: in tanks, in airplanes, ships, submarines, many were in our plants and our facilities doing the same kind of work in a different venue just as patriotic, just as sacrificial, and they haven't received at different tim the due they deserve. the day after tomorrow, october 30, 2009, all across the country in different places, people will

1:26:17 to 1:26:38( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: come together for this important commemoration, a day of recognition and remembrance. remembering those that have gone on. as the chairman said many have died from the very illnesses that they got from their service and their sacrifice. their fa with them because they became ill doing this work in very

1:26:39 to 1:27:00( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: difficult and unhealthy environments. years ago here in the congress about 10 years ago i was one of the original authors of the legislation to compensate those people that became ill. commonly known as the sick worker legislation, the acronym

1:27:01 to 1:27:24( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: is euyoica, the democratic administration, clinton administration, republican congress and we hammered out and forged a benefit program for these sick workers. i want to thank on the floor the house today senator fred thompson who stood up as a republican with me at the time and others in a bipartisan way to provide this benefit to these families.

1:27:25 to 1:27:45( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: many of these families received $150,000 for the direct illness that is they received from their extraoinary sacrifice -- illnesses that they received from their extraordinary sacrifice. we need to thank as a nation all of those who became ill because of their exposure to these very chemicals and these toxicities that have been talked about on

1:27:46 to 1:28:06( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: the floor today but also recognize those that are still t there. that are working, that have survived, maybe they have retired, it's so very important that we do are patriots who helped us win the cold war. helped us create the deterrent that has kept the world safer.

1:28:07 to 1:28:28( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: this nuclear industry is important. these facilities are important. the department of energy has played an importan role. as we know the atomic energy commission at that time which evolved into the department of energy. it's a labor of love to work in a bipartisan way, in the congress, to have this official day of recognition and remembrance for all of these

1:28:29 to 1:28:49( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: workers, past and present and future, frankly, because we are still cleaning up the legacy of this cold war investment and that's an important investment as well for our country to make. it's an honor even privilege to co-author this resolution with congresswoman berkley. again i want to close by thanking her for taking this initiative because it is an important step and while many of us because the house will be in

1:28:50 to 1:29:10( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: seion on friday, october 30, will not physically be there at these remembrances, we are there with you 100% in a bipartisan way as the congress of the united states comes together, the senate passed their resolution on may 20, for this official day of recognition and remembrance for all of these nuclear workers through the years and into the future.

1:29:11 to 1:29:31( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: the united states of america and the congress of the united states thanks and recognizes you and remembers those who have given so much in defense of liberties. i yield back. . the speaker pro tempore: the

1:29:32 to 1:29:40( Edit History Discussion )

Zach Wamp: gentleman from massachusetts. mr. lynch: thank you, mr. speaker. i'd like to yield to a lead co-sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from iowa, mr. loebsack, for two minutes.

1:29:41 to 1:30:01( Edit History Discussion )

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. loebsack: i thank the gentleman for yielding. i'd also like to thank congresswoman berkley for her leadership in introducing this resolution and supporters on both sides of the aisle and in particular i want to thank congressman wamp for his extremely eloquent testimonial right now. i want to rise in strong

1:30:02 to 1:30:23( Edit History Discussion )

David Loebsack: support for house resolution 790. thousands of atomic energy employees, including thousands of workers at the iowa army ammunition plant in my district labored in hazardous conditions at the nuclear weapons facilities. in the end, many of these workers sacrificed their health for the security of our nation.

1:30:15 to 1:31:35( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: David Loebsack

1:30:24 to 1:30:45( Edit History Discussion )

David Loebsack: working with asbestos, uranium and radiation without knowing the impacts these materials would later have on their health. but for far too long, their service and sacrifice have not been properly honored. they are truly the unheralded heroes of the cold war. that will begin to change on october 30 happily.

1:30:46 to 1:31:06( Edit History Discussion )

David Loebsack: october 30, which marks the first national day of remembrance for our country's nuclear workers. on this day our country will pause to pay tribute to our cold war heroes, many of whom have paid a high price for their service. the resolution that we are considering today urges all americans to recognize the men and women who have served our

1:31:07 to 1:31:29( Edit History Discussion )

David Loebsack: country selflessly and with great dedication in its nuclear facilities. i have had the distinct honor of meeting some of the iowans who worked on line one of the burlington atomic commission plant. these are the workers who assembled, disasembinged, modified and tested weapons in iowa between 1949 and 1975.

1:31:30 to 1:31:37( Edit History Discussion )

David Loebsack: they are true patriots and their service was critical to our country's security throughout the uncertain decades of the cold war.

1:31:38 to 1:31:58( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: i urge all americans to reflect upon the work and their sacrifices, and i urge my colleagues to support this critical resolution, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields bac balance of his time. the gentlelady from -- the gentleman from ohio. >> mr. speaker, we have no additional speakers. mr. lynch: mr. speaker, i have several more speakers. >> then we'll just reserve

1:31:40 to 1:34:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Ed Perlmutter

1:31:59 to 1:32:19( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: then. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. mr. lynch: i thank the gentleman. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts. lidgelidge thank you. i'd like to recognize another -- mr. lynch: thank you. i'd like to recognize mr. perlmutter for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the ognized for two minutes.

1:32:20 to 1:32:40( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: mr. perlmutter: thank you, mr. speaker. andty thank the gentleman from massachusetts as well as ms. berkley, mr. wamp for proposing this day of remembrance. on november 11, our nation recognizes veterans day by honoring the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed services. but we need to acknowledge another groups of patriots who sacrificed in the defense of

1:32:41 to 1:33:01( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: this nation. this group of american citizens served for over 60 years to develop and ultimately construct the united states nuclear arsenal. the legacy of thousands of men and women who labored in the minds, nuclear fuel processing facilities and nuclear weapons assembly plants across the

1:33:02 to 1:33:22( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: united states should be remembered forever. in particular, for ending the cold war. thousands of these cold war managers, engineers and work whose secret work in building and decommissioning the nuclear arsenal are suffering adverse

1:33:23 to 1:33:44( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: health effects with their work with and around toxic and radioactive materials. colorado's former rocky flats nuclear weapons facility, which is a few miles from my house, and its thousands and thousands of workers played an integral part to enhance the security of our nation. these workers helped bring an end to the cold war, and as we

1:33:45 to 1:34:06( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: worked to ensure that these workers receive the medical care and coverage they deserve, we need to offer them our thanks for their courageous work to our nation, and we continue to ur the administration to promptly respond to the various applications they made for compensation in health care. but i rise in support today and

1:34:07 to 1:34:10( Edit History Discussion )

Ed Perlmutter: ask that we pass house

1:34:11 to 1:34:31( Edit History Discussion )

Dina Titus: resolution 790 to designate friday, october 30, the cold war patriots national da remembrance for the services these men and women provided to our nation. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. turner: mr. speaker, we continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. lynch: i thank the

1:34:15 to 1:37:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Dina Titus

1:34:32 to 1:34:52( Edit History Discussion )

Dina Titus: gentleman. mr. speaker, i'd now like to recognize another lead co-sponsor of this resolution, ms. titus from nevada, for three minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for three minutes. ms. titus: thank you, mr.

1:34:53 to 1:35:13( Edit History Discussion )

Dina Titus: speaker. i rise today in strong support of house resolution 790, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a national day of 2009, for american nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miner millers and haulers. i'd like to thank my good friend and colleague, congresswoman berkley, for introducing this important

1:35:14 to 1:35:35( Edit History Discussion )

Dina Titus: resolution. the tional day recognizes the contributions of heroes whose efforts on the front line of their service to our nation was instrumental in the effort to create a nuclear deterrenthat helped defeat the forces of communism. too often their efforts are not recognized the way the veterans of other wars have been, but

1:35:36 to 1:35:56( Edit History Discussion )

Dina Titus: just as our veterans of other battles served with distinction to protect our nation, so too did the workers at atomic weapons facilities. more than half a million americans have worked since 1942 to create and maintain united states nuclear arsenal. and while they did not face the dangers of conventional warfare, unfortunately too many