[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14154-14155]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 275--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 30, 2011, AS A NATIONAL DAY 
           OF REMEMBRANCE FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM WORKERS

  Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. 
Udall of New Mexico, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Graham, Mr. 
Crapo, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Corker) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 275

       Whereas, since World War II, hundreds of thousands of men 
     and women, including uranium miners, millers, and haulers, 
     have served the United States by building the nuclear defense 
     weapons of the United States;
       Whereas these dedicated workers paid a high price for their 
     service to develop a nuclear weapons program for the benefit 
     of the United States, including having developed disabling or 
     fatal illnesses;
       Whereas the Senate recognized the contribution, service, 
     and sacrifice these patriotic men and women made for the 
     defense of the United States in Senate Resolution 151, 111th 
     Congress, agreed to May 20, 2009, and Senate Resolution 653, 
     111th Congress, agreed to September 28, 2010;
       Whereas a national day of remembrance time capsule has been 
     crossing the United States, collecting artifacts and the 
     stories of the nuclear workers relating to the nuclear 
     defense era of the United States;
       Whereas these stories and artifacts reinforce the 
     importance of recognizing these nuclear workers; and
       Whereas these patriotic men and women deserve to be 
     recognized for the contribution, service, and sacrifice they 
     have made for the defense of the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 30, 2011, as a national day of 
     remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers, including 
     uranium miners, millers, and haulers, of the United States; 
     and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to support 
     and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and 
     other activities to commemorate October 30, 2011, as a 
     national day of remembrance for past and present workers in 
     the nuclear weapons program of the United States.

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution to 
encourage all Americans to support October 30, 2011 as a national day 
of remembrance for past and present workers in the U.S. nuclear weapons 
program. I am pleased that Senators Alexander, Cantwell, Crapo, Corker, 
Gillibrand, Graham, McConnell, Mark

[[Page 14155]]

Udall and Tom Udall, have joined me in introducing this bipartisan 
legislation.
  Since World War II, hundreds of thousands of men and women, including 
uranium miners, millers, and haulers, have served the United States by 
building our nuclear defense weapons. We should all take time to 
remember our fellow Americans who have paid a high price for their 
service to develop the nuclear program for United States.
  Some of these workers have developed disabling or fatal illnesses, 
and we should recognize their sacrifice and contributions. By honoring 
nuclear complex workers and uranium miners who have contributed to our 
nation's defense over the past 6 decades, we will also recognize the 
sacrifices made by family members who have cared for sick and injured 
workers. Additionally, the commemoration on October 30th will serve to 
remind Americans that we still have work to do in ensuring the health 
and benefits of our nuclear weapons workers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

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