Press Release- June 08, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
RITTER URGES PRESIDENTIAL PANEL TO EXPAND AND EXPEDITE COMPENSATION TO ROCKY FLATS WORKERS
In a letter to the presidential panel reviewing medical benefits for former Rocky Flats workers, Gov. Bill Ritter today urged the committee to expand and expedite compensation to ill employees and their families.
The Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health is scheduled to meet in Denver next week. Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien will testify before the panel on Monday on behalf of the administration.
"This panel has existed for several years. Scientific studies, examinations and reviews have been conducted for decades," Gov. Ritter wrote in the letter to the advisory panel. "The time is long past for action. Each day of delay means another sick employee comes closer to death.
"If you fail our Cold War heroes, members of Congress seem poised to step in. On behalf of these workers and on behalf of the people of Colorado, I urge you to fulfill your charter and provide the efficient service and aid that our Rocky Flats workers deserve."
Gov. Ritter sent an initial letter to the panel last month. http://www.colorado.gov/governor/press/may07/former-rockyflats-workers.html
Here is the complete text of today's letter:
June 8, 2007
Members of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health
Paul L. Ziemer, Ph.D., Chairman
Lewis V. Wade, Ph.D., Executive Secretary
Mark Griffon, Chair, Technical Review Committee
Re: Rocky Flats United Steelworkers of America, Local 8031
Special Exposure Cohort Petition
Dear Dr. Ziemer, Dr. Wade, Mr. Griffon and Members of the Advisory Board:
As Governor of Colorado, in furtherance of my responsibility to the citizens of Colorado, I urge you to recommend extending Special Exposure Cohort to all workers whose exposure at Rocky Flats put their health at risk.
I also request that you provide expedited financial and medical care to these employees, and compensation to the eligible survivors of those who have died awaiting determinations, as mandated by the federal legislation that created this presidential advisory board. This panel has existed for several years. Scientific studies, examinations and reviews have been conducted for decades. The time is long past for action. Each day of delay means another sick employee comes closer to death.
If you fail our Cold War heroes, members of Congress seem poised to step in. On behalf of these workers and on behalf of the people of Colorado, I urge you to fulfill your charter and provide the efficient service and aid that our Rocky Flats workers deserve.
The Rocky Flats plant played a crucial role in our nation's security during the Cold War and on into the era of détente. Even today, much of our nuclear defense capability relies on products produced by Rocky Flats workers. The working men and women who knowingly or unknowingly put themselves in harm's way for the sake of their country are entitled to justice and to appropriate compensation, modest evidence of the debt the nation owes them.
In your advisory role for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, I encourage you to recommend extending Special Exposure Cohort status beyond the currently recognized 1952-1958 time period to all workers who may have experienced health-threatening exposures.
It's evident from the research that there were exposures for which workers and/or their families have not been adequately compensated. For this reason, I believe SEC status should be expanded. I ask you to consider carefully and decide promptly, as equity demands.
Finally, let me close by again strongly suggesting that you recommend extending SEC status. The workers have earned our gratitude and deserve fair compensation from the nation in whose service they may have become ill.
Respectfully,
Bill Ritter Jr.
Governor