The differences between us and Vieques is that they are more sophisticated in wanting to protect themselves and hold their future above all else. Here in Waianae it's an acceptable way of life and that is to die an early death. We have lost the practice of 'life is for a long time' and I believe we need to start there to leverage ourselves to higher worth.
CONTACT: Todd Jurkowski
407.451.9857 (cell)
press@graysonforcongress.com
GRAYSON BLASTS VIEQUES REPORT
(ORLANDO, Fla.) ? Former congressman and current congressional candidate
Alan Grayson (D-Orlando) expressed outrage at the report on Vieques issued
by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The
federal agency announced Thursday that its investigation concluded that
there is no evidence linking decades of U.S. Navy bombing exercises on the
tiny island to an increase in health problems for the people who live there.
"This is a disgrace. It's arrogant and dangerous for the ATSDR to dismiss
the scientific evidence on the effects of more than sixty years of bombing.
Instead, these bureaucrats are trying to shift the blame to utterly
implausible reasons," said Grayson.
A study by the Puerto Rico Health Department concluded the cancer rate among
people on Vieques is 27 percent higher than for those on the main island,
despite no significant differences in lifestyle. (The island of Vieques is
separated from the main island by only ten miles of water). People on
Vieques also show evidence of elevated risks for high blood pressure,
diabetes and epilepsy.
The ATSDR report suggests that the health problems are caused by eating fish
with high levels of mercury, but denies that those elevated mercury levels
are the result of contamination from uranium, Agent Orange and other toxins
used in the bombing exercises that ended in 2003. The ATSDR suggests that
people on Vieques eat fish low in mercury to reduce the potential health
effects.
"That's the best advice of the ATSDR? Really? Maybe the ATSDR should
invest in Chick-Fil-A and put up billboards that read, `Eat Mor Chikin,'
quipped Grayson.
The ATSDR report did acknowledge that some areas of the Vieques bombing
range still present a health risk.
The ATSDR will accept public comment for 90 days before releasing its final
report. People can submit a comment via email to cdcinfo@cdc.gov.
Grayson is running for a new U.S. House of Representatives district that is
expected to be created in Orlando.
Todd Jurkowski
Communications Director
Committee to Elect Alan Grayson
press@graysonforcongress.com
(407) 451-9857 (cell)
_____
http://www.bateylink.org/node/115
NPRC URGES THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO TREAT THE U.S. CITIZENS OF VIEQUES
WITH RESPECT
Posted December 9th, 2011
Washington, DC ? The National Puerto Rican Coalition Inc. (NPRC) today
demanded the Obama Administration to reevaluate their position and treat the
Americans living in Vieques with respect.
"The preliminary report released yesterday by the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR,) which accepted local claims that
there is a higher incidence of cancer and other illnesses on Vieques
compared with neighboring Puerto Rico, but said there is no proof the
problem is linked to U.S. military activity, is a disservice to the American
citizens of Vieques, a small island off the east coast of Puerto Rico,"
declared Rafael A. Fantauzzi, President & CEO of the National Puerto Rican
Coalition.
"In November 2009, the then-Director of ATSDR, Howard Frumkin, pledged to
residents of Vieques and Congress that the agency would re-examine the data
as part of a fresh look, however, this preliminary report doesn't provide
any additional information," said Fantauzzi.
"As a result of more than six decades of bombings and due to the toxic
environment left by the U.S. Navy, at least four generations of Viequenses
have now been exposed to toxins and heavy metals with devastating medical
consequences. Numerous scientific studies and the Puerto Rico Department of
Health have revealed that the rates of serious illnesses among Viequenses,
including cancer, far exceed those on the main island of Puerto Rico," added
Fantauzzi.
"The U.S. citizens of Vieques have paid a huge price defending our national
security. The bombings stopped in May 2003, but they continue to suffer from
the legacy of decades of bombing and military practices in Vieques. The
Department of Defense has the blood of US Citizens in their hands, which in
this case is worst than enemy fire," said Fantauzzi.
"During his campaign, President Obama promised to monitor the health of the
people of Vieques and promote adequate remedies to their health conditions.
Moreover, the White House Task Force on Puerto Rico acknowledges there is a
health crisis in the island municipality. Why does the Obama Administration
continue to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the plight of the
Viequenses?" asked Fantauzzi.
"NPRC would like to recognize the efforts of Congressman Steve Rothman and
Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, who introduced HR 1645, the Vieques
Recovery and Development Act, as well as the tireless work of the Mayor of
Vieques, Evelyn Delerme. We will continue to fight with you. We urge
President Obama to support VRDA and finally bring justice to the people of
Vieques," concluded Fantauzzi.
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About NPRC NPRC's mission is to systematically strengthen and enhance the
social, political, and economic well-being of Puerto Ricans throughout the
United States and in Puerto Rico with a special focus on the most
vulnerable.
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