October 28, 2011

Washington, DC –Nevada Senator Harry Reid today honored the men and women who worked at the Nevada National Security Site (formerly the Nevada Test Site) on National Day of Remembrance. Reid co-sponsored the resolution, which was unanimously approved by the Senate, to honor nuclear weapons program workers on October 30, 2011.

“Nevada’s Cold War veterans deserve to be recognized for the immeasurable contributions and sacrifices they made to our nation’s safety while working at the Nevada Test Site,” Reid said. “I’ve personally met with and listened to many of these Nevadans to learn of their daily struggles as a result of their work. While I recognize them on this day, I encourage all Nevadans to always remember their sacrifice.”

Reid played a leading role in passing the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) in 2000. Since then, he has fought to ensure all eligible Nevada National Security Site (N2S2) workers who contracted illnesses as a result of their nuclear weapons work get compensated under this Act.

Text of the resolution is as follows:

S.RES.275

Designating October 30, 2011, as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers. (Introduced in Senate - IS)

SRES 275 IS

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 275

Designating October 30, 2011, as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 22, 2011

Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. MCCONNELL, and Mr. CORKER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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RESOLUTION

Designating October 30, 2011, as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers.

Whereas, since World War II, hundreds of thousands of men and women, including uranium miners, millers, and haulers, have served the United States by building the nuclear defense weapons of the United States;

Whereas these dedicated workers paid a high price for their service to develop a nuclear weapons program for the benefit of the United States, including having developed disabling or fatal illnesses;

Whereas the Senate recognized the contribution, service, and sacrifice these patriotic men and women made for the defense of the United States in Senate Resolution 151, 111th Congress, agreed to May 20, 2009, and Senate Resolution 653, 111th Congress, agreed to September 28, 2010;

Whereas a national day of remembrance time capsule has been crossing the United States, collecting artifacts and the stories of the nuclear workers relating to the nuclear defense era of the United States;

Whereas these stories and artifacts reinforce the importance of recognizing these nuclear workers; and

Whereas these patriotic men and women deserve to be recognized for the contribution, service, and sacrifice they have made for the defense of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates October 30, 2011, as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers, including uranium miners, millers, and haulers, of the United States; and

(2) encourages the people of the United States to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities to commemorate October 30, 2011, as a national day of remembrance for past and present workers in the nuclear weapons program of the United States. 

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