[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 19474-19475]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING DAVID FULLER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Finally, I am saddened by the recent loss of my good 
friend David Fuller. This was a man who certainly had an impact both on 
his community and on the Nation as a whole. It is no exaggeration at 
all to say that thanks to David, thousands of workers at nuclear plants 
in this country have safer jobs and healthier lives.
  That includes David's coworkers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion 
Plant in Paducah, KY, where for 10 years David served as president of 
the Nuclear Workers Union. You see, the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant 
has produced enriched uranium since 1952 and is currently the only 
operating uranium enrichment facility in the United States.
  For much of the Cold War, the Paducah plant produced fissionable 
material for our country's nuclear arsenal. It also enriched uranium 
for commercial nuclear reactors, helping to provide the benefits of 
cleanly generated electric power to millions of people.
  Those Kentuckians who worked in the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant 
played a vital role in America's victory in the Cold War. 
Unfortunately, their own government did not look out for them as it 
should have.
  About 10 years ago, we learned there were risks associated with 
working at the Paducah plant, particularly during the early years of 
its operation. Some workers were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals 
and radiological hazards. Some would later sicken and even die.
  David was tireless in advocating for the workers at Paducah. He was 
one of them. He put in 33 years as a cascade operator and electrician. 
His testimony before Congress was key to advancing the effort to care 
for those who had been harmed by the government's careless treatment. 
Thanks, in part, to David, we created the Energy Employees Occupational 
Illness Compensation Program to ensure that our Nation's nuclear 
workers finally now get the attention they deserve from their 
government. Medical screening is available to all Paducah workers so 
they may be tested and treated for any illness they contract as a 
result of working at the plant. We are working to clean up some of the 
legacy waste materials left at the Paducah plant.
  I also might say my wife Elaine Chao, who served as Secretary of 
Labor during the Bush years, was deeply involved in setting up this 
compensation program there at Paducah and she too became a friend of 
David Fuller's.
  David testified before Congress on behalf of his fellow workers, 
including before a committee I chaired. He served as his union's 
president for 5 years, longer than anyone before, and never lost an 
election.
  David and I worked side by side for a long time on this issue. He 
visited my office frequently here in Washington, and on several 
occasions I was his guest at the Paducah Nuclear Workers Union Hall to 
meet with and speak to the local membership. In that time, I saw how 
determined David was to help develop a program that would ensure

[[Page 19475]]

all current and former plant employees were tested for exposure and 
that would provide sick employees with the treatment they need and 
deserve.
  Of course, nothing can take the place of a life or good health, but 
David wanted to see every effort made to provide compensation for the 
workers and their families. Thanks to his extraordinary work, he lived 
to see that happen.
  I know his tireless service will not be forgotten by his friends and 
coworkers. Even the Paducah workers who did not get to know David 
personally know they certainly have him to thank for the justice that 
was provided to the workers who took on this vital duty.
  Elaine and I have lost a good friend. We send our prayers to his wife 
Katherine Cooper Fuller; his daughters, Julie Fuller Leidecker, Laura 
Ann Nichole ``Nikki'' Fuller, and Meagen Joan Fuller; his son John 
David Fuller; his three grandchildren; and many other beloved family 
members and friends.
  Not everyone, after he or she is gone, will be able to show as easily 
as David that theirs was a life spent helping others. David gave so 
many the simple gift of time: more time spent with their family, 
friends, and loved ones.
  Sadly, David's family has run out of time with David himself, as he 
passed away on July 19 at the age of only 62. But I hope they can take 
some solace in the tremendous work he did on behalf of others. Kentucky 
has lost a great man. He will not be forgotten.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________