[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12525]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 151--DESIGNATES A NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE ON 
OCTOBER 30, 2009, FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM WORKERS IN THE SERVICE OF 
                               THE PEOPLE

  Mr. BUNNING (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Bingaman, 
Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Reid, Mr. 
Corker, Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. McConnell) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 151

       Whereas hundreds of thousands of men and women have served 
     this Nation in building its nuclear defense since World War 
     II;
       Whereas these dedicated American workers paid a high price 
     for their service and have developed disabling or fatal 
     illnesses as a result of exposure to beryllium, ionizing 
     radiation, toxic substances, and other hazards that are 
     unique to the production and testing of nuclear weapons;
       Whereas these workers were put at individual risk without 
     their knowledge and consent in order to develop a nuclear 
     weapons program for the benefit of all American citizens; and
       Whereas these patriotic men and women deserve to be 
     recognized for their contribution, service, and sacrifice 
     towards the defense of our great Nation: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 30, 2009, as a national day of 
     remembrance for American nuclear weapons program workers and 
     uranium miners, millers, and haulers; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to support 
     and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and 
     other activities to commemorate October 30, 2009, as a 
     national day of remembrance for past and present workers in 
     America's nuclear weapons program.

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, today I am joining with Senator Bunning 
and other senators to introduce a resolution to declare a National Day 
of Remembrance in honor of the thousands of men and women that 
supported our nuclear efforts during the Cold War.
  The dedicated employees of the Department of Energy and its 
contractors were instrumental in our winning the Cold War. These 
employees worked in laboratories and factories related to nuclear 
weapons, under hazardous conditions that were sometimes not well 
understood. They put their health and their lives in jeopardy in the 
service of their country, often without knowing it.
  Tennessee has more workers that were made sick through their exposure 
to nuclear weapon hazards than any other state in the union. That is 
why one of my priorities in the U.S. Senate has been to help get our 
Cold War heroes and their families the compensation they deserve--from 
a major overhaul of the sick worker's program in 2004, to legislation 
that introduced last year to ensure that compensation for the families 
of sick nuclear worker won't be taken away in cases where sick workers 
or their eligible survivors die before their claims are processed.
  While the compensation program can provide some financial assistance, 
it can never fully make up for what was lost.
  I would also like to take a moment to mention one particular heroine 
among these Cold War heroes: Janine Lynn Anderson, a dedicated advocate 
for all the American nuclear weapons workers. Janine worked tirelessly 
for over a decade to ensure that nuclear weapons workers were not 
forgotten after the Cold War was won. Sadly, Janine passed away just a 
week ago on May 2. She will be missed.
  It was her idea that these patriotic men and women be recognized 
through a National Day of Remembrance, for their contribution, service, 
and sacrifice towards the defense of this great nation.
  That is why it is particularly appropriate that today we introduce 
this resolution to designate October 30, 2009 as a National Day of 
Remembrance in honor of these Cold War heroes. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues from both parties to pass this resolution 
soon.

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