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Resolution
On the Protection of Vieques,
Puerto Rico
WHEREAS, over the past 62 years
the island of Vieques has been used for military
training exercises for national defense; and
WHEREAS, these
exercises have entailed the use of bombs and
live ordinances containing heavy metals and
chemical compounds dangerous to human beings;
and
WHEREAS, these
exercises have also involved the use of tactical
weapons containing highly toxic elements; and
WHEREAS,
physical examinations indicate that heavy metals
are present at dangerous levels in the bodies of
many residents of Vieques; and
WHEREAS,
research confirms that the accumulation of heavy
metal in the body over a long period of time s
causes serious medical conditions; and
WHEREAS,
environmental studies indicate that toxic
substances, and the presence of toxins in the
environment of Vieques, including the local food
chain, are the direct result of the
above-mentioned military exercises; and
WHEREAS, this
contamination renders Vieques unfit for
long-term human habitation in the absence of a
massive cleanup operation; and
WHEREAS, the
residents of Vieques suffer from cancer and
other diseases at rates that are much higher
than those elsewhere in Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, Vieques
has played an indispensable role in enhancing
national security and promoting the defense of
freedom throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, the
United States citizens of Vieques have paid an
uniquely high price to protect the nation; and
WHEREAS, our
fellow citizens on Vieques now face a myriad of
serious and life-threatening physical ills
requiring immediate attention; and
WHEREAS, the
United States Navy’s discontinued use of the
island will not solve the current or future
health problems caused by the continued presence
of contamination on Vieques; and
WHEREAS, the
citizens of Vieques have just claims pending
before the Department of the Navy; and
WHEREAS, the
proper and fair settlement of these claims would
permit the people of Vieques to take steps to
protect themselves from further damage to their
well-being; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
that we call upon the United States Navy to
directly and immediately settle all
administrative claims filed with the Navy by the
United States citizens of Vieques whose health
and or property was adversely affected by the
Navy’s exerceise on Vieques during the past 62
years so that such citizens may take appropriate
medical and other steps to protect themselves
and their loved ones. We call upon President
George Bush and Senator John Kerry to
immediately take a strong public and supportive
position of this effort, to support the prompt
and full clean-up and decontamination of Vieques,
and to begin serious action to right this
terrible wrong that as been brought upon these
suffering people of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Adopted this 10th day of July
2004.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
