68th Legislature 2023 SR 69.1
1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 69
2 INTRODUCED BY A. OLSEN, D. SALOMON, E. MCCLAFFERTY, K. REGIER, B. MOLNAR, G. HERTZ, D.
3 LENZ, R. LYNCH, W. CURDY, M. DUNWELL, J. ELLIS, D. HAYMAN, W. MCKAMEY, C. POPE, S. WEBBER,
4 D. FERN, J. TREBAS, B. USHER, S. MORIGEAU, J. SMALL, J. GROSS, J. ELLSWORTH, J. FULLER, E.
5 KERR-CARPENTER, B. GILLESPIE, M. MARLER, C. KEOGH, P. FLOWERS, M. FOX, L. BREWSTER, C.
6 FRIEDEL, L. DEMING, J. BERGSTROM
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8 A RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING CONGRESS TO INCLUDE
9 MONTANANS IN THE RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT.
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11 WHEREAS, from 1945 to 1962, the U.S. government conducted over 200 above-ground nuclear tests,
12 exposing tens of thousands of people in downwind areas to deadly radiation; and
13 WHEREAS, Montana is one of the most impacted "downwind" states and home to 15 of the 25 most
14 exposed counties in the United States, including Meagher, Broadwater, Beaverhead, Chouteau, Jefferson,
15 Powell, Judith Basin, Madison, Fergus, Gallatin, Petroleum, Lewis and Clark, Blaine, Silver Bow, and Deer
16 Lodge Counties; and
17 WHEREAS, this issue is important to many Montanans who have suffered and even died from radiation
18 exposure, and may not even know their cancers were caused by our nation's nuclear testing; and
19 WHEREAS, the current compensation available for those impacted by U.S. nuclear weapons
20 development and testing is still not available for impacted Montanans, even though the 1997 study by the U.S.
21 government indicated that Montana should be included in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
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23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
24 That the U.S. Congress pass amendments to include Montanans in the Radiation Exposure
25 Compensation Act.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the
27 members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.
28 - END -
-1- Authorized Print Version – SR 69