FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 28, 2018 – Hagåtña) –Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje commends the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors and their president Robert Celestial for his historic testimony today in front of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Senate Bill 197, also known as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments Act of 2017, which would include Guam as one of the downwind areas.
“I congratulate Robert Celestial and the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors and all of those who have helped them along the way, for their work and personal sacrifice in continuing to advocate for justice for Guam. These few work out of love for the benefit of many, many people on Guam who are suffering from cancer and other radiation related illness. I am very grateful, and am trying my best to ensure that we as leaders do all we can to support and continue this fight for justice, compassion, and health,” Vice Speaker Terlaje stated.
Vice Speaker Terlaje also submitted written testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee expressing her support for S. 197. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Guam between 1940 and 1960 ranged from 22,290 to 67,044 inhabitants. This is the number of people who were exposed to radiation as downwinders during the time of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. (Please see the attached written testimony from Vice Speaker Terlaje.)
“It’s an unsettling truth that our family members were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing, and suffer from cancer and other illnesses. The U.S. government provides free medical care and compassionate compensation to people from other jurisdictions that were exposed. Since the findings in 2005, Guam’s inclusion in RECA is overdue. Compassion, medical care, and justice for the people of Guam suffering from cancer is equally warranted,” Vice Speaker Terlaje stated.
Read Vice Speaker Terlaje’s written testimony here:
Terlaje RECA Senate Judiciary Written Testimony June 2018
Read Robert Celestial’s testimony here:
06-27-18 Celestial Testimony
VIEW NEWS COVERAGE ON THE HEARING:
KUAM News:
Robert Celestial urges senators in DC to pass nuclear testing legislation
http://www.kuam.com/story/38527336/robert-celestial-urges-senators-in-dc-to-pass-nuclear-testing-legislation
Pacific News Center:
Radiation Survivors president testifies before Senate subcommittee
https://pacificnewscenter.com/radiation-survivors-president-testifies-before-senate-subcommittee/
Guam Daily Post:
US Senate Committee to hear Guam voice on radiation-related illness
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/us-senate-committee-to-hear-guam-voice-on-radiation-related/article_8c413fe4-79eb-11e8-a593-2bd27d1b39fb.html
Guam advocate for radiation-related illness compensation heard in US Senate
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-advocate-for-radiation-related-illness-compensation-heard-in-us/article_1c9e843c-7a6b-11e8-a2d9-73c55c32f868.html
Pacific Daily News:
Bordallo supports bill aimed at veterans affected by nuclear radiation
https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2018/06/28/nuclear-compensation-bill-receives-support-congresswoman/740639002/
Saipan Tribune:
PARS commends Celestial for testifying on behalf of the people of Guam
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/pars-commends-celestial-for-testifying-on-behalf-of-the-people-of-guam/
Marianas Variety:
US Senate panel to hear Guam’s inclusion in radiation exposure compensation program
http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/105237-us-senate-panel-to-hear-guam-s-inclusion-in-radiation-exposure-compensation-program
Kilili urges US to address downwind inequities
http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/105650-kilili-urges-us-to-address-downwind-inequities
Newstalk K57:
Senator Therese Terlaje and Robert Celestial with Patti Arroyo
https://k57.com/sen-terese-terlaje-and-robert-celestial-with-patti-arroyo/
Robert Celestial with Andrea Pellacani
https://k57.com/robert-celestial-with-andrea-pellacani/
Pacific Island Times:
US Sent Panel to Hear Radiation Compensation Bill
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2018/06/14/US-Senate-panel-to-hear-radiation-compensation-bill
Guam Pushing for Radiation Exposure Compensation in Washington
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2018/06/27/Guam-pushing-for-radiation-exposure-comp-in-Washington-DC
For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.