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