IMPACT OF RADIATION EXPOSURE

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A MEMORIAL
ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF RADIATION EXPOSURE ON NEW MEXICO
RESIDENTS; RECOGNIZING THE EXPANSION OF THE FEDERAL RADIATION
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT; URGING STATEWIDE OUTREACH AND
ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ELIGIBLE PERSONS APPLYING FOR
COMPENSATION PRIOR TO THE DECEMBER 31, 2027 DEADLINE.
WHEREAS, New Mexico is home to many communities that
were exposed to radiation as a result of the trinity nuclear
test and decades of uranium mining, milling and transport
activities that supported national defense and energy security
interests; and
WHEREAS, for generations, New Mexico downwinders,
uranium workers and their families have experienced elevated
rates of cancer and other serious health impacts without
formal recognition or compensation; and
WHEREAS, congress expanded the federal Radiation
Exposure Compensation Act to include New Mexico downwinders
and post-1971 uranium workers, providing a one-time payment of
one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to eligible persons or
their survivors; and
WHEREAS, the expanded eligibility under the federal
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act requires all claims to be
filed no later than December 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, many eligible New Mexico residents,
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particularly elders, rural residents, tribal members and
families of deceased persons, may be unaware of their
eligibility, uncertain of how to document presence or illness
or unable to navigate the federal application process without
assistance; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico maintains critical public health and
community resources, including the New Mexico tumor registry
and local health, aging, veterans and tribal service
organizations, that can assist eligible persons in
understanding eligibility and the application process; and
WHEREAS, ensuring that eligible New Mexico residents
receive compensation under the federal Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act is a matter of justice, dignity and
responsibility to communities that bore disproportionate risk
in service to the nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it acknowledge the harm experienced
by New Mexico downwinders, uranium workers and their families
and recognize the importance of the expanded federal
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act as an act of federal
accountability and recognition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health,
the aging and long-term services department, the veterans'
services department and the Indian affairs department be
requested to collaborate with community-based organizations,
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tribal governments and local governments to conduct outreach
and education and to provide technical assistance to ensure
that eligible persons are informed of and supported in
applying for compensation under the federal Radiation
Exposure Compensation Act before the December 31, 2027
deadline; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the senate encourage the
dissemination of clear, culturally appropriate and accessible
information regarding eligibility, documentation options and
survivor claims under the federal Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act, particularly in rural and historically
impacted communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor, the secretary of health, the
secretary of aging and long-term services, the secretary of
veterans' services, the secretary of Indian affairs and the
New Mexico congressional delegation.