Congressman Wamp has joined 102 House members in urging approval of a provision to set up a compensation program for nuclear workers who became sick from working at national DOE nuclear facilities including Oak Ridge.

"These workers have given their health - and in some cases their lives - to contribute to our nation's victory in World War II and the Cold War. We owe it to them and their families to make sure they get the help they need," Wamp said.

Wamp and the other Members of Congress made the request in a letter to members of a House-Senate Conference Committee that will iron out differences between separate versions of the defense authorization bill passed by the House and the Senate. The language would establish an occupational illness compensation program for DOE nuclear workers. It was put in the Senate version, and Wamp and his fellow House members are urging House Conference Committee members to accept the provision from the Senate bill. If they do, it will be included in the final version that is voted on by the House and Senate. If the bill passes, it will be sent to President Clinton for his signature.

In the letter to members of the House and Senate Conference Committee, Wamp and the others urged support of the language, saying:

This provision is a major step in coming to terms with the harm caused from occupational exposure to beryllium, silica and radiation at DOE nuclear facilities nationwide. It establishes the program as "direct spending," which ensures that sick and dying workers or their surviving family members will not have to compete for discretionary defense funds. It is a good provision that should not be weakened in conference.

As Members of Congress, we have learned first-hand of the tragic consequences borne by "citizen-soldiers" who have the lasting scars of the long industrial battles of the Cold War -making and testing our nuclear deterrent. While we cannot give them a Purple Heart for their wounds, the nation owes these dedicated men and women a debt of thanks for their efforts and sacrifices in helping to win the Cold War. Establishing this federal compensation program is the least we can do.

We urge that you recede and concur with the Senate-passed compensation provision.