Utirik and Rongelap themselves, House Resolution 1988 states that the "Congress hereby assumes compassionate responsibility to compensate inhabitants in the Rongelap Atoll...for radiation exposures sustained by them as a result" of the 1954 incident. In section four of the act (78 Stat. 598) it states that "A payment made under the provisions of this act shall be in full settlement and discharge of all claims against the United States arising out of the thermonuclear detonation on March 1, 1954," As the Committee interprets "compassionate responsibility" not to mean "direct responsibility" or "direct liability" for the incident, but rather a humanitarian responsibility to "compensate" rather than an admission of direct responsibility for the incident itself, Despite this "compassion"! shown by the U.S, Government, however, it is noted that payment of a claim would supposedly free it from further claim by the affected inhabitants. The Committee notes that this act does not include claims by or on behalf of the children of the "inhabitants" nor does it include the people of Utirik, The Committee believes that the provisions of the law become invalid in consideration of events which subsequently took place after payment of "compassionate compensation" was made, The case of thyroid disorders, the fatal case of leukemia, and the uncertain future of the health of 7 these people are facts which all belie . claims. the attempt to prohibit future Furthermore, the Committee notes that while the language of the law attempts to be final with respect to future claims, that the compensation is for "radiation exposures," to inhabitants and not for ~27- wear rn pias SOREPI A ETE sen 3}: * we let : : wi’ eknL na wt de ee NOY ora gE Te” ef mat Yap tees Po foe wae ea egy ae wee