[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             10TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER

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                               speech of

                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 1996

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 167 which recognizes April 26, 1996, as the 10th Anniversary 
of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster. This international tragedy is one 
that deserves recognition for the day and more importantly for the 
people who experienced it.
  As we look back at the 10 years that have passed since this 
catastrophe, we are reminded of those who were lost during the initial 
explosion and, more far-reaching, the loss of nearly 500,000 additional 
lives due to radiation exposure over time. The people of Ukraine have 
been facing the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster for years. An 
estimated 3.5 million inhabitants, including 1 million children, of the 
Chernobyl area were exposed to high levels of radiation. This type of 
exposure has generated numerous diseases and been responsible for 
thousands of deaths. Thyroid cancer alone affects one child per 10,000 
every year. It is difficult to imagine the pain these people have 
endured over time.
  On top of this physical and emotional anguish, the people of this 
region have also suffered a severe economic ruin. Their once fertile 
land is now tagged with the cold label of ``exclusion zone'' or 
``permanent control zone.'' In both instances, the cultivating of crops 
is completely prohibited. Without the ability to farm crops, these 
people must attempt to tackle a highly expensive cleanup with a 
severely diminished income; a difficult task for any group to conquer, 
particularly under the extreme circumstances.
  This is more than the recognition of a day that occurred 10 years ago 
Mr. Speaker. This anniversary embodies 10 years worth of strength and 
perseverance the people of Ukraine have displayed. The nature of this 
prolonged suffering is especially heartwrenching. The accident at 
Chernobyl is still claiming victims today, over 10 years after the 
event occurred. The failure of the No. 4 reactor has been attributed to 
the flawed design, operator mistakes, and cold war isolation.
  Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, now is not a time to blame. Now, we must 
concentrate our efforts to preventing such a tragedy from occurring 
again. We must work to increase nuclear safety awareness and promote 
greater cooperation between the East And West concerning these matters. 
We have been given an opportunity to study the onset of cancer and 
other related diseases and we must not let this window escape unopened.

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