PRELIMINARY DRAFT
April
13,
1955
STATEMENT BY CHATRMAN LEWIS DL. STRAUSS,
UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
BEFORE
THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY
APRIL 15, 1955
May I preface my remarks by thanking the members of the
Joint Committee for the opportunity which you have provided to
clarify and set straight the facts about radiation as they relate specifically to the atomic tests currently being conducted
in Nevada,
Your decision to hold this open hearing serves a most use-
ful and timely purpose,
It is a constructive step and a distinct
service to the American people,
Radiation has become an inherent
characteristic of this atomic age with its vast potentiais for
beneficial as well as destructive applications,
Therefore the
people should know a11 the available facts about radiation as
quickly as they are scientifically determined.
The Joint Commit-
tee and the Commission are in complete agreement on this.
To
this end the Commicsion will pursue its studies of the subject,
in collaboration with scientific authorities outside the CommisSion,
not alone for the protection of life in the event of enemy
attack where radiation exposure would be far greater than that