Guam - Guam News

Guam - Senator Tina Rose Muna Barnes is seeking the assistance of the public in acquiring signatures for the petition to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include Guam in the list of affected areas with respect to claims relating to atmospheric nuclear testing.  In particular those individuals who were exposed to radiation fallout from the United States Nuclear testing in the Pacific who, as a result of the proposed amendment, would be eligible for compensation similar to that given to other “downwinders.”

As a firm believer that the United States government should rightfully compensate all who were affected by the fallout, Senator Muna Barnes is asking that residents come down to her office and sign the petition to ensure that Guam is not forgotten or left out. She will also be assisting those individuals who think they may be eligible to receive compensation by furnishing them with the information they need and making appropriate referrals for further assistance.   

This comes on the eve of a delegation, including Senator Pangelinan and Robert Celestial, who will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to testify on April 15, 2010 in support of H.R. 1630, which is the bill that will add Guam as an affected area under the Radiation Effects Compensation Act of 2000.

The National Research Council has stated that Guam was exposed to radiation fallout from the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific and anyone who was physically present on Guam from 1946 to 1974 and suffers from certain kinds of cancer, has had a miscarriage(s), or have children with mental retardation is a survivor for the purposes of this Act.  As a result, Senator Muna Barnes is asking all survivors who were physically present on island during this time period to come to her office and give written personal testimony and/or video testimony that will be submitted at the U.S. Congress committee hearing on April 15th.  The video testimony of survivors will be recorded in the Public Hearing Room at the Legislature.    

All residents are encouraged to join Senator Muna Barnes in her support of this effort by signing the petition.  Most importantly, all survivors are needed to provide their personal testimony.     

For more information, please contact me at 472-3455.

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