March 1, 2010 - Following his introduction of H.R. 4712, a bill to remunerate Mohave residents who were adversely affected by above ground nuclear testing that took place in the 1950's and 1960's, Congressman Trent Franks today released the following statement:
"As a result of nuclear weapons tests that were conducted between January of 1952 and July of 1962, many Arizona communities, primarily those downwind from the nuclear tests, were exposed to radiation that, in some cases, caused cancer and other serious diseases.
"Since coming to Congress in 2003, I have worked diligently to ensure equal coverage under RECA of those Mohave County residents regrettably affected by nuclear weapons tests. I hope this bill will finally ensure the compassionate compensation of every person affected by these weapons tests, including those in Mohave County who have, to this point, been unjustifiably excluded."
Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, Constitution Subcommittee, and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
"As a result of nuclear weapons tests that were conducted between January of 1952 and July of 1962, many Arizona communities, primarily those downwind from the nuclear tests, were exposed to radiation that, in some cases, caused cancer and other serious diseases.
"In 1990, Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to provide for payment to individuals who contracted
serious conditions as a result of exposure to these tests. In 2000, RECA was amended, and yet more areas were made eligible for compensation. Unfortunately, at neither time was Mohave County, Arizona deemed an eligible area, despite the fact that hundreds of Mohave County residents were affected by these weapons tests, a conclusion also reached by the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences.
"Since coming to Congress in 2003, I have worked diligently to ensure equal coverage under RECA of those Mohave County residents regrettably affected by nuclear weapons tests. I hope this bill will finally ensure the compassionate compensation of every person affected by these weapons tests, including those in Mohave County who have, to this point, been unjustifiably excluded."
Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, Constitution Subcommittee, and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
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