[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 85 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH R. EGAN

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I join Senator Ensign today to recognize the 
remarkable life of Joe Egan, who passed away on May 7, 2008.
  Joe is known in Nevada and throughout the country as a skilled 
attorney who worked hard to make our Nation safer and to stop the 
proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump from being built in Nevada. 
I think Joe hated the nuclear waste dump project as much as I do. In 
his obituary, he arranged to have his ashes spread over Yucca Mountain. 
``Radwaste buried here only over my dead body,'' he said.
  After learning in 1996 that Yucca Mountain was scientifically 
unsuitable for storing radioactive waste, he was deputized as the lead 
lawyer for the State of Nevada's efforts to fight the dump. Nevadans 
should be proud to have had such a magnificent person fighting for 
them.
  Joe was a key force in dealing multiple blows to the project and 
bringing it to a standstill. Over the years, Joe has made it abundantly 
clear that the project is unsafe and that the science behind it is 
unsound. It speaks to his character that although he was not from 
Nevada, he fought against this project with both passion and strength 
because he knew that it was the right thing to do. When we finally end 
the battle against the Yucca Mountain project, we will have done it 
together with Joe and his team.
  Joe was by no means antinuclear. He just wanted to see nuclear power 
produced safely and the dangerous wastes it produces to be managed 
properly. He also worked hard on nonproliferation efforts, helping the 
United States secure thousands of tons of weaponsgrade uranium from all 
over the world.
  Joe's legacy will live on through his family, friends, and through 
his tremendous efforts to keep Nevadans and all Americans safe.
  Mr. ENSIGN. We have both had the pleasure to know and work with Joe. 
He was a brilliant man a Minnesota native who received three degrees, 
in physics, nuclear engineering, and technology and policy from the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his law degree from 
Columbia University. During his lifetime, Joe did everything from 
working in the control room of a nuclear powerplant to serving as 
president of the International Nuclear Law Association. Joe was a 
strong supporter of nuclear energy. Throughout his life, he fought for 
the development of sensible, sound, and safe nuclear policies.
  Joe served as Nevada's lead attorney in the fight against dumping 
nuclear waste in Nevada. Applying his deep knowledge of the law and 
nuclear engineering, Joe helped the State of Nevada in our fight 
against Yucca Mountain.
  Mr. REID. Joe Egan was a talented person who led a rich life which 
was tragically cut short by an aggressive cancer. I am saddened by his 
death, and will not forget all that he has done for the people of 
Nevada. To his wife, children, and family, I wish to extend my deepest 
sympathies.
  Mr. ENSIGN. The work that Joe has accomplished during his lifetime 
will forever stand as a fitting testament to his character. He was an 
amazing lawyer, a great father, and he will be sorely missed by all. My 
sincere condolences go out to his family.

                          ____________________