The Department of Energy, (DOE) has released a statement about the contribution of former workers in regards to the National Day of Remembrance on October 30th, 2010.
Cold War Patriots would like to thank the Department of Energy and the Department of Health and Human Services for supporting those who did their part to keep America free.
Senate Passes Unanimous Resolution Honoring Cold War Nuclear Workers With National Day of Remembrance
Resolution recognizes sacrifices made by nuclear weapons and uranium workers who risked their lives serving their country during the Cold War
(DENVER, CO – September 29, 2010) The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution yesterday designating October 30, 2010, a national day of remembrance for uranium and nuclear weapons workers who served their country during the Cold War Era.
“Our nation’s cold war veterans who dedicated their brainpower, livelihoods and unknowingly jeopardized their health to develop our nuclear deterrent, deserve this recognition,” said Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), one of the resolution’s four sponsors. “Behind the Manhattan Project at what would become Los Alamos National Laboratory were not only scientists, but many others like janitors, maintenance workers and miners and millers. They worked with and supplied the very substances that made them sick, and in too many instances ultimately led to their premature deaths. They — and their families — sacrificed tremendously for the security of America and for that we will always owe them a debt of gratitude.”
“These civilian workers made great contributions to our national defense during the Cold War,” said co-sponsor Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). “It’s appropriate that we dedicate a day to celebrate their achievements and to honor the sacrifices they made to help keep our country and its citizens safe.”
Cold War Patriots, a non-profit organization advocating for nuclear weapons complex workers, launched the National Day of Remembrance campaign in 2009. The renewal of the National Day of Remembrance again in 2010 ensures the former workers will get the recognition they deserve. At the height of the Cold War, over 600,000 men and women worked to make the country’s nuclear deterrent possible. Many of them developed disabling or fatal illnesses because of exposure to radiation and toxic substances while producing and testing nuclear weapons. On October 30, Cold War Patriots will honor their contribution to America’s defense with celebrations in a dozen communities around the country.
“Our goal is to make sure that these unsung heroes are not forgotten,” said Greg Austin, Chairman of the Cold War Patriots Advisory Committee.
Background
During the Cold War, some 600,000 people worked to build the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons. In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed an act to compensate people who had been harmed. The Department of Labor program gives cash and medical aid to workers who became ill after being exposed to radiation or toxic substances.
Many facilities have high levels of exposure and sickness, however, significant exposure has happened for uranium workers in the Four Corners area (the border of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona), and nuclear workers in OH, WA, TN, CO, SC and many other states across the nation.
Cold War Patriots is the first national network connecting nuclear workers and uranium miners with support and assistance with complicated issues, including benefits claims. As they desperately wait for help, these workers are currently dying at an estimated rate of 60 per day. The organization’s advisory committee includes workers, physicians and attorneys.
Membership in Cold War Patriots is free to current and former nuclear weapons workers, uranium miners, millers, and haulers, as well as other individuals, family members or professionals that support the Cold War Patriot mission. For more information visit www.coldwarpatriots.com or call 888-903-8989.
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The United States Department of Energy wrote a nice article about the National Day of Remembrance in their fourth quarter newsletter. Click the link below to read the article.
**DOE NDR Article**
The Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) in the Department of Energy (DOE) supports and recognizes the important contribution of workers during the Cold War Era. Aptly put, the office is “Honoring the Past and Looking to the Future.” See the National Day of Remembrance graphic and proclamation below.
Friends and colleagues:
On May 22, the United States Senate unanimously approved S. RES. 151,
designating October 30, 2009, as a National Day of Remembrance for
nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers and
haulers. This act of Congress affords us all the opportunity to
recognize and honor the men and women who tirelessly served our country
by building and maintaining our nuclear forces during World War II
through the Cold War and continuing today.
Our workers helped bring victory in World War II and supported
the deterrent that brought us safely through the Cold War. Their
dedicated service continues to protect the United States and our allies
today.
In honor of our workforce, the Department of Energy
headquarters will commemorate this day with various activities,
focusing upon the theme “Honoring the Past and Looking to the Future.”
The Secretary and I also encourage each of the DOE sites and
laboratories within the DOE complex that support our country’s nuclear
weapons program to this mark special day with their own events.
As you make plans to host events and activities, DOE
headquarters would like to acknowledge your event and provide
assistance as necessary. Please contact Regina Cano (Regina.Cano@hq.doe.gov) or Pat Worthington (Pat.Worthington@hq.doe.gov) to share your plans and help answer your questions.
We thank all of you in advance for your efforts to celebrate this important day.
Sincerely,
Daniel Poneman
Deputy Secretary
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has posted a tribute to the National Day of Remembrance for Cold War Era workers. Below is their tribute. Thank you NIOSH.
Honoring Quiet Sacrifice
This month, our country recognizes a group of workers who quietly made personal sacrifices to protect our country and our freedom. The U.S. Senate designated October 30, 2009, as a National Day of Remembrance for American nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers, and haulers.
These workers did not just do a job. During a time when our country was at war, and later, during the Cold War, they discreetly built a nuclear weapons program to protect and defend their families, neighbors, and fellow citizens across the country. And in doing so, some of these workers were exposed, often unknowingly, to the types of workplace risks that NIOSH now strives every day to prevent. Some of these workers sacrificed their health, and some lost their lives as a result of these exposures.
From the beginning of our involvement in this compensation program, NIOSH’s core values have been an integral part of our activities. In particular, the core values of quality of science, transparency, and accountability are at the heart of the actions, decisions, and communications in this program.
As NIOSH continues to fulfill its role under EEOICPA, we recognize the debt of gratitude owed to the workers who quietly made sacrifices to protect our country, and honor that debt with our commitment to quality of science, transparency, and accountability in our work.
We invite you to join NIOSH in honoring these workers on the National Day of Remembrance, October 30, 2009.
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