IVINGTON
&
BURLING
Mr. Wallace O. Green
April 21, 1980
Page Six
the radiological program, but in the interes
of
expediting the program, the Secretary is encduraged
to use other departmental funds for later re
bursement out of appropriation."
m~
In constrast to the niggardly approach taken
the Department of Energy even to ascertaining the true
of the medical problems that have possibly resulted fr
nuclear weapons testing, Congressman Burton emphasized
during the floor consideration of the finally approved
statutory language the intent and rationale of Congres
the United States err on the side of over inclusion ra
than risk failing to treat any medical problems that w
the legacy of the weapons testing program:
ature
“that
er
"Special emphasis is to be placed upon the
biological effects of ionizing radiation, bu
Since health effects associated with radiati
exposure, such as thyroid anomalies, maligna
tumors, and genetic defects are indistinguish ble
from the spontaneous occurance of the same dil
orders, the only way to assure that the radi
1onrelated problems are dealt with is to deal wi h
all of the health problems of the affected pe bples."
Later in his remarks Congressman Burton explained:
"We believe we have a special moral obligatio h to
these people and it is our intent that this p crO~
vision be interpreted to provide the most pos sible
protection to them."
Finally, of pertinence to our request that th b
most sophisticated scientific approach and most advance a
technology be employed in identifying the health proble ns
in the northern Marshall Islands that received radioact ive
fallout, it is worth noting Congressman Burton's explana r10n
that Congress specified the involvement of a scientific
advisory committee “to insure the maintenance of the hi hest
professional standards for both basic research and appl ed
science."
Furthermore, the information we seek is cruci 1 to
the successful conclusion of the political status negot lations