introduction of legislation in the Congress of the United States to
provide relief for the people of Rongelap, the compensation being
based on humanitarian principles.
“Mr. Wayne Aspinall introduced the Bill H.R. 1988 to provide
for settlement of claims of certain residents of the Trust Territory
of
the Pacific Islands.
[It was
reported out favorably by H.R.
March 21, 1963 (to accompany 11.R.
| 29, 1964
(to accompany II.R.
1988) and by S. Rept. 1257, July
1988 with amendment)
Law 88-485, 88th Congress, ti.R.
110,
1988, August 22,
and became Public
1964.
In brief it
authorized payment by the Secretary of the Interior of $950,000 less
fees for legal services
their survivors,
to the 82 inhabitants of Rongelap,
or to
affected by radiation exposures sustained following
the thermonuclear detonation of March 1, 1954.
This payment was made
in full settlement and discharge of all claims against the United
States arising out of the detonation.
Each exposed individual or
nis heirs received approximately $11,000 as a lump sum.
“The people on Utirik whe received 14
feel that
roentgens are said
they had been discriminated against vis-a-vis
They also were removed to Majuro,
examined,
tested,
the Rongelapese:
and taken back
to their atoll; and while their exposure fortunately was low,
desired at least a token payment,
to
they
perhaps in proportion to dose.
No one appears to have taken their point of view seriously until
\
recently.
Copies of
the committee reports
Grom the House and Senate mentionad,
reveal some details which are interesting.
~14-
The original bill as