A . 7 7 ‘ toe x CONGRESS OF MICRONESIA SAIPAN, MARIANA ISLANDS . R 96950 ACSA eS SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE CONCERNING RONGELAP & UTIRIK ATOLLS August 27, 1975 Senator Oly mplo T. Borja, Chalrman Representative John Hagliel fem Representative Ata]l Balos Robert Ccnard, M.D. Associated Universities, Inc. Brookhaven National Laboratory. Upton, L. I. New York 11973 Dear Dr. Conard: Senator Olympio T. Borja,who is currently traveling to several Asian countries on Congressional business, has asked me to contact you on behalf of the Special Joint Committee concerning additional compensation for the people of Rongelap and Utirik. As indicated by the attached copies of correspondence, 75° ERDA (formerly the AEC) and the Department of the Interior o. J, yim} [8 Wi A} Vig ” ae = iS Re =zazi 5S “Mo | ws QW $3 3:9 <a; Ww 2+ woe} 6 wy t. A<o Fo 6? 2 IN ot "> Ae we e > , $y = C® em OQ “Sor ¢ fo C. & | wo a WA a € =~ . d heave indicated their general support of additional coxpensation for these people. We further anticipate hearings before the U.S. Congress, following transmittel of draft legislation prepared by Interior for introduction in the U.S. House and Senate. In anticipation of such heerings, and the likelihood that we will be testifying on this issue, we would like to have your preliminary opinions on several questions in order thet we might present a unified position before any committee. Our questions/concerns ere as follow: * Mr. Rice of DOTA, Interior, hes raised the question of whether the lump sum compensation to effected Rongelapese should very in amount according to the extent to which the people were affected. The Committee's suggestion is that each person who hes had a thyroid removed, should receive $25,000. However, he suggests that some ere affected more than others and thet, consequently, the amounts should be congruent with the damage caused. that you noted the I also recall thyroids of some Rongelapese have ceased to function because of their exposure, but that they have not been removed by surgery. Do such cases require special consideration, or should they be considered Similar to those who have had their glends removed, since the end effect is the sane? tL or E ew Orne wah e acde.