Crapo to Hear Public Testimony During Downwinder Movie Premiere in Emmett

Emmett  - Attempts by Idahoans and others to compensate victims of radiation exposure related to U.S. nuclear arms testing in the 1950s and 1960s will be on display Saturday in Emmett.  Referred to as "downwinders," these Americans suffered cancer and other various health issues as radiation from above-ground testing drifted east and north over a number of states.

Crapo has co-sponsored legislation four times since 2005 to compensate victims of the radiation by amending the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).  Designed to assist victims of military and industrial accidents, RECA has been in place since 1990.  The National Academy of Sciences, following a public hearing in Boise in 2004, recommended ways that Idaho downwinders could be added to the RECA process.  Federal legislation to codify that action has not been enacted to date.

A documentary film entitled "Jay and John Wayne:  A Downwinders Story" documents the plight of radiation victims and the RECA legislative process.  New public comment will be heard following the showing of the film on Saturday.

Saturday, August 10, Downwinders' film premiere event with public discussion:

Emmett          3:00 PM         Downwinder documentary shown, Frontier Theater, 127 W. Main Street

Emmett          5:00 PM         Crapo speaks with Idahoans offering public comment on downwinder legislation; Computater's, 117 E. Main      Street