U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees |
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For Immediate
Release March 9, 2005 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Press Secretary 202-228-3630 Jen Clanahan – Deputy Press Secretary 303-455-7600 |
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SENATOR SALAZAR LEADS SENATE FIGHT ON BEHALF OF SICK ROCKY FLATS EMPLOYEES
“Through five decades, men and women worked on the front lines of the cold war producing plutonium at Rocky Flats,” said Salazar. “We owe them this classification if they are suffering from illnesses caused by exposure while ensuring our national security. I look forward to bi-partisan support.” Senator Salazar also co-signed a March 8, 2005 letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt regarding Special Exposure Cohort Status for some former Rocky Flats employees. In the letter, Senator Salazar joined Senator Wayne Allard, Congressmen Mark Udall and Bob Beauprez in calling for HHS to give a full and fair consideration to a petition filed by the Rocky Flats United Steelworkers of America, Local 8031. The Steelworkers petition would allow for Special Exposure Cohort recognition for a certain identified class of workers at Rocky Flats. Under the 2000 Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), employees from a limited number of nuclear facilities and test sites were designated for Special Exposure Cohort classification, making them eligible for a lump sum payment of $150,000 and medical coverage to DOE contract workers who were sickened as a result of beryllium or radiation exposure. Senator Salazar’s bill is
a companion bill to H.R. 428, “The Rocky Flats Special Exposure Cohort
Act” currently sponsored by Congressmen Mark Udall and Bob Beauprez
in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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