I'd particularly like to thank the Fallon community for the hard work and support that has gone into hosting this event. And, I'd like to recognize in advance the family and community members, and local officials, for participating in the hearing: as the people closest to the issues to be addressed, your testimony is vital.
I'm fortunate to be joined by one of my newest colleagues on the Committee, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. In addition to her longstanding commitment to children's health and to a clean environment, Senator Clinton is facing some of the same challenges facing us here, in connection with a cancer cluster in a community in her State of New York.
I have also by virtue of my being the ranking member of this Committee, and under the auspices of Chairman Bob Smith of New Hampshire, invited my colleague John Ensign and Congressman Jim Gibbons to act as de facto Committee members.
I'm also pleased to be joined by Governor Guinn, Assemblywoman de Braga, and Senator McGinness, who I know share my deep concern about the high incidence of childhood leukemia in Fallon.
And, I want to extend a special welcome to our witnesses, some of whom have traveled great distances to be here. We are extremely fortunate to have national experts on a range of issues important to the community including children's health, childhood leukemia, cancer clusters, and environment-related health problems as well as State, local and United States Navy officials with a wealth of expertise and demonstrated commitment to addressing the difficult circumstances facing the citizens of Fallon and the surrounding area.
Today we will examine what I consider to be one of the most pressing issues facing this community and our nation: how we can support and enhance the response to environment-related health threats, and health outbreaks such as the high incidence of childhood leukemia here in the Fallon area. Quality investigations into the factors that contribute to these health problems will enable us to better protect public health through preventative measures, and through more effective response when disease clusters and outbreaks do occur.
As the father of five children, and grandfather of soon to be eleven, I can think of nothing more heartbreaking than a child suffering with a serious health condition, and nothing more frustrating than not knowing the cause. Yes, we are facing a highly complex situation, and I'm not going to pretend that I think there are easy answers. But, this Committee commits to give the full weight of the Federal government toward answering the many questions herein posed.
Here in this room today we have a unique opportunity for sharing experience and expertise toward our common goals, in Fallon and nationally.
One of those goals is to identify ways in which the federal government can help to join federal, state and local resources to support ongoing investigations into the high incidence of childhood leukemia in this community and address any other environment-related health concerns. I applaud the State of Nevada for its tireless work on this issue.
A second goal of this hearing is to examine the federal government's approach to identifying and responding to so-called disease "clusters" including health problems that may be linked to environmental conditions. There is widespread concern among the citizens of this country about what we are exposed to in our day to day lives, and what effect exposures may have on our health and the health of our children. While a number of federal agencies are doing an excellent job supporting state and local officials in addressing community health concerns, the support system often seems uncoordinated, ad hoc, and too little too late.
The time has come for the federal government to craft a coordinated approach for responding to the needs of communities for support and guidance in identifying and addressing disease clusters and outbreaks.
Here's how we'll proceed. After brief opening statements by my colleagues, we have three panels of witnesses. Witnesses on the first panel will make remarks of up to five minutes each. Then we'll ask some questions of the panel. The same for the second and third panels.
After the third panel has finished with questions, and if time allows, we will provide answers to questions raised by people attending this hearing. You may submit written questions by filling out one of the cards located on the table in the lobby these cards also will be distributed by staff. If we do not have time to get to all of the questions, we will send a written response if you include your address on the card.
We will need to complete the hearing by 1 PM, as another event is scheduled to take place in the room this afternoon. I recognize that Mayor Tedford has worked minor miracles to provide us this space, and I have assured him we'll be sure to wrap up in time for the room to be set up for the next event.
If anyone wants to submit written testimony, I encourage them to do so. The hearing record will be open for one week - testimony provided by April 19 will be included in the record. With that, I welcome my colleagues.