Malu 'Aina

Aloha Peace Ohana,
Below are 2 DU State Senate Concurrent Resolutions (SCR 118 and SCR 89) introduced by Senators Gil Kahele and Malama Solomon.   Rep.Faye Hanohano introduced one in the House.
The 2 resolutions are similar but the SCR 118 has more extensive whereas.
Please pass the word and encourage legislators to support the resolutions.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Introduced by: SOLOMON, KAHELE, Dela Cruz, English, Ryan

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=118

THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
118
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION

Urging the members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation to call for comprehensive independent testing and monitoring to determine the extent of radioactive contamination at the pohakuloa training area.

WHEREAS, after years of repeatedly denying the use of depleted uranium in Hawaii, it has been confirmed that the United States Army used depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii, Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, and possibly other sites in the State; and

WHEREAS, the documented use of M101 spotting rounds, containing depleted uranium, for training purposes in conjunction with the Davy Crockett recoilless gun and the possible use of other spotting rounds or weapon systems that utilize depleted uranium have created the presence of radioactive contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area; and

WHEREAS, the license granted to the United States Army by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission to possess depleted uranium expired in 1964; and

WHEREAS, the full extent of radioactive contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area is unknown because less than one per cent of the 133,000 acre installation has been tested; and

WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a half-life of approximately 4.5 billion years; and

WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive particles that can cause cancer, cell mutations, birth defects, and other possible health problems when inhaled or ingested; and

WHEREAS, on July 2, 2008, the Hawaii County Council adopted Resolution No. 639-08, by a vote of eight to one, urging the United States military to order a complete halt to all bombing, live firing exercises, and other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium; and

WHEREAS, although the depleted uranium has not been cleaned up, live firing exercises continue to be conducted at the Pohakuloa Training Area, thereby risking the spread of radioactive contamination on and off the installation; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 639-08 also urged the United States military to establish a citizen monitoring system to work closely with military experts to ensure transparency and community confidence; and

WHEREAS, on August 13, 2008, the Hawaii County Council adopted, by a unanimous vote, Resolution No. 701-08, designating Dr. Lorrin Pang as a member of the citizens’ advisory committee upon the establishment of a citizen monitoring system; and

WHEREAS, the United States military has failed to establish a citizen monitoring system to work closely with military experts to ensure transparency and community confidence; and

WHEREAS, independent action is needed to address the potential hazards of radioactive contamination to troops, citizens, and visitors to the Pohakuloa Training Area; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation are urged to call for comprehensive, independent testing and monitoring, to be conducted with civilian oversight to determine the extent of radioactive contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation are also requested to seek federal funds to support this testing and monitoring effort; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; the Commander, United States Pacific Command; the Commander, United States Army Garrison-Hawaii; the members of the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and the United States House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; the Governor; and the members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation.

THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
89

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

strongly urging comprehensive independent testing and monitoring to DETERMINE the extent of radiation contamination at the pohakuloa training area.

WHEREAS, in the early 1960s, the United States Military used the Pohakuloa Training Area for firing a formerly classified weapon, the Davy Crockett recoilless gun, which has created the presence of depleted uranium in the impact area at the United States Army Garrison, Pohakuloa; and

WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a half-life of 4.6 billion years; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific studies concerning the health risks from exposure to depleted uranium; and

WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive particles that can cause cancer when inhaled or ingested and also cause damage in several human organ systems; and

WHEREAS, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, use, disposal, and clean-up of munitions and other products containing depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, the Hawaii County Council adopted Resolution No. 639-08, Draft 2, urging the United States Military to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area by establishing a citizen monitoring system to work closely with military experts to assure transparency and community confidence; and

WHEREAS, independent action is needed to address potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that comprehensive, independent testing and monitoring is recommended to determine the extent of radiation contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recommend citizen oversight of independent testing and monitoring to ensure transparency and community confidence; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that federal funds, if available, are requested to help with the independent testing and monitoring process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; members of the Defense Subcommittee of the United States Senate Appropriations Committee; members of the Subcommittee on Defense of the United States House Appropriations Committee; Commander, United States Pacific Command; Commander, United States Army Garrison-Hawaii; Commander, United States Army Garrison-Pohakuloa; members of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation; and Governor.

OFFERED BY:

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