45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RECOGNIZING THE ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND ITS MANY BENEFITS FOR NEW MEXICANS.

WHEREAS, congress enacted the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to go into effect July 31, 2001; and

WHEREAS, this program provides both a lump-sum compensation as well as reimbursement for medical expenses for workers who died or are seriously ill due to exposure to beryllium, silica or radiation while working for the federal department of energy or its contractors in the nuclear weapons industry; and

WHEREAS, the program also provides benefits to uranium miners employed prior to 1972, when the use of uranium was shifted from weapons purposes to energy purposes; and

WHEREAS, diseases covered under the program include cancer caused by radiation, chronic beryllium disease and chronic silicosis; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of New Mexico's large population of potentially eligible workers, the federal government has established a southwest regional resources center in Espanola, New Mexico, to serve all potential claimants; and

WHEREAS, many deserving New Mexicans are or may benefit substantially from this new federal program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the federal energy employees occupational illness compensation program be recognized as a long overdue and badly needed response to assist the thousands of New Mexicans who risked their lives and good health in the service of their country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the energy employees compensation resource center in Espanola, to all New Mexico county commissions and to all New Mexico pueblos and tribes for appropriate distribution to inform the citizenry of these benefits.