最新杏吧原创

JEFFERSON CITY 鈥� Two state lawmakers are attempting to get federal compensation for Missouri residents affected by the 最新杏吧原创 region鈥檚 role in developing the atomic bomb.

On Tuesday, a House committee will hear testimony on a resolution filed by Wentzville-area Republican Reps. and , each of whom have relatives who had cancer.

The duo want the General Assembly to approve legislation urging the attorney general, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the state health department to investigate the health effects of the production of radioactive and other hazardous contaminants from the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear weapons in the 1940s.

And they are urging Missouri鈥檚 congressional delegation to press for more Missourians to qualify for compensation related to the health effects of the toxic aftermath of weapons production.

鈥淚 believe we have a duty to serve Missourians injured by the radioactive and hazardous waste created by our federal government during the Manhattan Project and the Cold War era,鈥� Byrnes said. 鈥淩arely a week has gone by in five years in which I have not been notified of a person with a rare cancer. When I hear of a 45-year-old who has been diagnosed with brain cancer, I can usually guess which high school they attended.鈥�

鈥淭his is about making things right,鈥� West said. 鈥淭his is a matter of public safety. Our citizens are facing this fight, and it is up to us to give them as much assistance as we can to aid in this battle.鈥�

The hearing before the House General Laws Committee is the latest attempt to put a spotlight on the damage left behind by uranium processing plants that produced explosive and nuclear weapons.

While much of the focus has been on radioactive contamination in and along Coldwater Creek, which runs through north 最新杏吧原创 County, Byrnes and West say residents in Weldon Spring in St. Charles County also should be compensated for cancers associated with bomb-related processing operations there.

鈥淭he United States Government damaged property and harmed residents of 最新杏吧原创, north 最新杏吧原创 County, and St. Charles County through the improper handling of 2.3 million cubic yards of mixed radioactive contamination during the nation鈥檚 race to produce the atomic bomb in World War II and from the subsequent push to make more nuclear weapons during the Cold War,鈥� the legislation notes.

In an announcement outlining the legislation, West and Byrnes said they first met in 2018 while West was serving as mayor of New Melle.

Both said their families have been harmed by hazardous waste. Byrnes鈥� son has fought cancer and West鈥檚 mother passed away from cancer. West鈥檚 brother also has been exposed to hazardous and atomic bomb waste, he said.

鈥淲e cannot continue looking away, and it鈥檚 beyond time to start taking the steps to address this issue, protect our families and do what we can to make their lives whole,鈥� West said.

The legislation calls for the state attorney general鈥檚 office and the two agencies compile a report outlining the effects of the military operations in the area by Dec. 31, 2023.

The legislation is .