Rothman: The People of Vieques, Puerto Rico Deserve Justice from the U.S. Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 17, 2010

CONTACT: Aaron Keyak

office: (202) 225-5061

cell: (202) 905-6361

email: aaron.keyak@mail.house.gov

Rothman: The People of Vieques, Puerto Rico Deserve Justice from the U.S. Government

Hackensack, NJ – Today, Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the Science and Technology Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be joined by Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, Chair of the Legislative Latino Caucus, and other members of the caucus at a press conference in Hackensack, NJ to fight for justice for the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Vieques is a small island off the South East coast of Puerto Rico that was used as a bombing range by the U.S. Navy from World War II until 2003. The munitions used in and around Vieques contained toxins that have affected the health of the residents. A year ago Congressman Rothman successfully pressured the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to re-examine the agency’s inadequate health assessments for the inhabitants of the island of Vieques, because there are still issues that need to be addressed.

“The injustice toward the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico must end. Vieques is a small island off the south east coast of Puerto Rico that was used as a bombing range by the U.S. Navy from World War II until 2003. The munitions used in and around Vieques contained toxins that have affected the health of the residents. Yet in 2003, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a report that said that the levels posed no health risk. The conclusions in this report strain credibility, are inconsistent,and demand a thorough reexamination,” said Congressman Rothman.

What: Press conference on the inadequate health assessment report by ATSDR and the high rates of disease among the people of Vieques

When: Today, May 17, 2010 at 9:30 am

Where: Plaza outside of Congressman Rothman’s Hackensack, NJ office

25 Main Street

Suite 101

Hackensack, NJ

Who: Congressman Steve Rothman, Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, Assemblyman Angel Fuentes, and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.

Contact: Aaron Keyak at aaron.keyak@mail.house.gov or (202) 905-6361

A full statement from Congressman Rothman:

The injustice toward the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico must end. Vieques is a small island off the south east coast of Puerto Rico that was used as a bombing range by the U.S. Navy from World War II until 2003. The munitions used in and around Vieques contained toxins that have affected the health of the residents. Yet in 2003, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a report that said that the levels posed no health risk. The conclusions in this report strain credibility, are inconsistent, and demand a thorough reexamination.

The people of Vieques deserve answers for the undisputed high rates of disease that they have encountered over the years. Residents of Vieques have a 25% higher infant mortality rate, 30% higher rate of cancer, a 95% higher rate of cirrhosis of the liver, a 381% higher rate of hypertension, and a 41% higher rate of diabetes than those on the main island of Puerto Rico.

I have brought this issue to the attention of the highest levels of our government and all of the appropriate federal agencies. ATSDR was finally convinced to re-open this case and made this known in response to my demands during a hearing of the House Science and Technology Committee, of which I am a member, on March 12, 2009. They have now begun an independent reexamination of their 2003 conclusions and have stated that they will issue their initial findings by the end of the summer or early fall 2010.

In addition, I have been assured that this issue will be included in the White House Task Force’s examinations and recommendations to President Barack Obama regarding Puerto Rico. I look forward to reading a new and improved report from ATSDR that will finally reveal the truth and open the door for justice to be realized by the people of Vieques. Finally, I intend to question ATSDR’s Director Henry Falk later this week when he appears before our House Science and Technology Committee.

We must bring the issues surrounding the health of Vieques to light. I am confident we will finally be able to bring justice to Vieques. The time for the U.S. government to right this wrong is long overdue.

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Aaron Keyak

Communications Director

Congressman Steve Rothman (NJ-9)

2303 Rayburn HOB

o: 202/225-5061

c: 202/905-6361

akeyak@gmail.com