H.C.R. 7

1

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OPPOSING
2 NUCLEAR TESTING
3 2005 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Michael E. Noel
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor strongly urges the
10 Federal Government not to resume nuclear testing at its Nevada Test Site.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 . recalls the devastation caused to the health of thousands of citizens by previous
14 nuclear testing at the Federal Government's Nevada Test Site; and
15 . strongly urges the Federal Government not to resume nuclear testing at its Nevada
16 Test Site.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
19
20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
21 WHEREAS, nuclear testing began at the Federal Government's Nevada Test Site in
22 1951;
23 WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Energy's Nevada Operations
24 Office, 45 of the 515 announced nuclear weapons tests that occurred between 1961 and 1984
25 released radioactivity beyond the testing site;
26 WHEREAS, many Utahns and many other citizens living downwind of those tests
27 suffered as a result of being "active participants" in the nation's nuclear testing program;

28 WHEREAS, the Legislature of the state of Utah supports a strong military defense, but
29 not at the expense of its citizens through renewed nuclear testing;
30 WHEREAS, as part of its recognition of the 50th Anniversary of nuclear testing at the
31 Nevada Test Site in the 2001 General Session, the 54th Legislature of the state of Utah
32 expressed "the fervent desire and commitment to assure that such a legacy will never be
33 repeated";
34 WHEREAS, surviving "downwinders" who continue to suffer today know their fight
35 against renewed nuclear testing will not benefit them personally because it is too late for them;
36 WHEREAS, surviving downwinders fight renewed nuclear testing for the sake of their
37 children and grandchildren;
38 WHEREAS, a resumption of nuclear testing at the Federal Government's Nevada Test
39 Site would mean a return to the mistakes and miscalculations of the past which have marred
40 many Utahns;
41 WHEREAS, a resumption of nuclear testing essentially means the creation of a new
42 generation of downwinders;
43 WHEREAS, a resumption of nuclear testing at the Federal Government's Nevada Test
44 Site would verify the axiom that those who fail to learn from the mistakes of the past are
45 doomed to repeat them;
46 WHEREAS, the resumption of nuclear testing at the Federal Government's Nevada Test
47 Site would signify a dramatic step backward in the United States of America's resolve to learn
48 from its tragic nuclear testing legacy;
49 WHEREAS, the "Wind Wall" is a planned monument to pay tribute to the people who
50 lost their lives to nuclear testing, those who are battling downwinder-related diseases now, and
51 for those who have lost loved ones because of nuclear testing;
52 WHEREAS, it is intended that the Wind Wall be placed in or near Washington County,
53 Utah, as residents of that county were the most impacted by nuclear fallout; and
54 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has an obligation to its citizens, especially those who
55 have suffered so much, to do all in its power to ensure that the lingering wounds from nuclear
56 testing are not reopened to afflict both current and future generations:
57 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
58 Governor concurring therein, strongly urge that the United States Government not resume

59 nuclear testing at its Federal Government's Nevada Test Site.
60 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
61 the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority
62 Leader of the United States Senate, Downwinders, Inc., and the members of Utah's
63 congressional delegation.





Legislative Review Note
as of 11-27-04 2:26 PM

Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel