February 25, 1980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE program which was conducted at or near their islands between 1946 and 1958. The nant tumors, and genetic defects are in- | maintained a modest program of basi research at Enewetak atoll since the late 1940's. No one of these activities has heen nomic, and health problems which resulted from the dislocation of people, the contamination of their environment with radionuclides and the exposure of some way to assure that the radiation-related problems are dealt with is to deal wit all of the health problemsof theaffected’ the others so as to produce the maximum also true that some of the people of raciation dose assessments at the atolls of Bikini and Enewetak. Through the University of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, the Department of Energy has integrated or coordinated with any of cosible benefit fer the affected peoples. Additionally, this section requires the Secretary of the Interior to take the lead in planning and implementing an inte- grated program which combines all of these im oartant functions. The Secretary is expressly authorized to develop a plan for the program in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Health, Education. and Welfare, the three agencies which, in addition to Interior, have had the greatest involvement in Micronesia and have some special expertise and interest. The Secretary is also expressly re- quired to involve representatives of the people of cach of the atolls intended to benefit from the program. The committee wishes to give special emphasis to this latter requirement. Without the full and meaningful participation and co- operation of the people affected, both in the planning and in the implcmentation of the program, it will have little chance of success. The committee takes note of the dissatisfaction expressed by some of the people at Rongelap and Uterik in the past. It is this kind of dissatisfaction which can be avoided by the maximum feasible participation of the people served by the program. In the interest of commencing imple- mentation of the program at the earlicst practicable time, a deadline of January 1, 1981, for submission of the plan to the Congress has been included, but the committee encourages the Secretary to commence development of the plan as soon as possible and to complete it earlier than the deactine. While this programis committee is mindful of the social, eco- of the people to jonizing radiation. It Is these atolls will be living in an environ- any other people who. are later discovered to have been exposed to radioactive failout from nuclear testing programs. Primary. responsibility for planning the program rests with the Secretary of agencies and groups at the earliest practicable time to commence development of the plan. All costs of planning, including travel and other expenses, are to be chargeable to the budget of the also notes that the people of Enewetak appropriation, taries to coordinate their efforts so that » this dual responsibility will not hamper planning and implementution of the propramin any way. 2 Finally, the committee considers this provision to be an important and valu~ able contribution to the general wellbeing of the people who were adversely affected by the nuclear weapons testing currence of the same disorders, the only peoples. This approach is also dictated ”* by the hypocratic oath which forbids a doctor to treat a patient for cancer and tation of a program of education which should include basic informationregarding the sources of fonizing radiation, its movement in the environment and its affects upon human heings. It will be the Interior, but it is essential that he necessary to draw heavily upori the adconsult with the Secretaries of Defense, vice and assistance of people from each Energy, Health and Welfare, and with. of the affected islands and from other representatives of the people of the af- Marshallese -people, to sevetODand imfected atolls. He is also required to con- plement this educational progr: sult with the government of the MarIt is the intent of the committee that | shall Islands. ; successful operation of this program over It is the intent of the committee that the long term will require both basic rethe Secretary of the Interior will bring search and the application of scientific together representatives of each of these knoviedge for the direct benefit of the radiological program, but in the interest of expediting the program, the Seeretary is encouraged to use other departmental are scheduled to resettle their atoll in July 1980. It is the intention of the committee that once the program authorized by this section is implemented, it will absorb or replace the current activities referred to previously. - The committee firmly believes that the necessity for this kind of program arises from the U.S. nuclear weapons testing prosram and, hence, should be accourted fay as a charge to the budeect of the Department of Energy. Accordingly, while planning and implementation of the prozramis the responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior, funds for the program ere authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy. The committee expects the two secre- distinguishable from the spontaneous oc. ignore the patient’s malnutrition, apment which contains low levels of ioniz- pendicitus, or broken leg, for example. ing radiation for some years to come. . Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) reIt is the intent of the committee that quires the performance of periodic surthis program should contribute measur- veys to determine the radiological status ably to the health, peace of mind, and of the affected atolis. For all of the arcas general well-being of the people in a way of concern to this program, there are which monetary payments would not. | yarying amounts of radionuclides in the To be more specific, this section of the ecosystem which constitute a hazard of bill amends Public Law 95-134 by adding some degree to the human beinzs, prina newsection to it, section 106. Para- cipally through the food chain. Once this graph (4) of Public Law 95-135 required information is obtnined, however, it is the Secretary of the Interior to provide of no practical use until a radiation’ dose @ program Of medical care to the people assessment is calculated, together with of Rongelap and Utirik only. an estimate of the health risks asso. Section 106(a) contains the basic ciated with the projected Numan excharter for the radiological program posure. for the people of the atolls of Bikini, Paragraph (3) of subsection (a) reEniwetok, Rongelap, and Utirik, and for quires the developinent and implemen. intended to be one of long-term benefit, there are immediate needs to be met, especially at Bikini atoll. The committee Yoca- , H 1225 funds for later reimbursement out of the Planning of the program must take into account the varying needs of indi- viduals, groups and each of the islands and atolls. The needs and problems of the people of Eniwetok are different from those at Bikini and the people af Ronge- lap have problems which those at Eni- wetok do not have. The committee is mindful of the fact that a program of this kind can caus? more anxiety than cure, if it is not properly designed and executed. Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection 106(a), are the three principal elements of an integrated program to meet the needs of the various people affected. Each element of the program, however, will have to be carefully plan- ned for each island. Paragraph (1) Of subsection (a) requires the provision of a comprehensive health care program for the members of the affected groups. Special emphasis is to be placed upon the biological effects of ionizing radiation, bu: since health effects associatcd with radiation exposure, such as thyroid anomalies, malig- people. Accordingly, basic research may be undertaken and supported as part of this program so long as it bears some reasonable relation.to the objectives of the overall program. . Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) requires the Secretary to submit the plan for the program to the Congress not later than January 1, 1981. The committee . expects 2 comprehensive programdesign, together with cost estimates, which will achieve the intended objectives of the program. The committee also encourages the Secretary to coranlete the planning as early as practicable. . At the present time general health eare is provided in Micronesia through the Department of the Interior. For this program, the Secretary is expressly required to consider the feasibility of hav- ing the United States Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Welfare provide medical services in this program. The scientific advisory committee is intended to insure the maintenance of the highest professional standards for both basic research and applied science. Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) empowers the Secretary of the Interior to call upon any other Federal agency for assistance, on a réimbursable basis, either in the planning or the implemen- tation of the program. The Department # of Defense has the best logistical support in the area, with facilities at. ae