Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the death of David Sanes (see April 19 post “Vieques: Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary David Sanes’ Death”), Congressman Alan Grayson (representing the 8th district of Florida) called for a congressional committee hearing in Vieques, Puerto Rico. The purpose of the hearing of the Science and Technology Oversight and Investigations subcommittee will be to examine unhealthy conditions on the island as a result of decades of military bombing and training exercises.
Congressman Grayson said, “The Navy used Agent Orange, napalm, and white phosphorus over the course of 62 years of weapons testing near the island. The people of Vieques and constituents of mine from that region are suffering from an inordinately high number of health problems.” The congressman said that he intends to work with the Science and Technology Oversight and Investigations subcommittee and other members of Congress to follow up and ensure that the voices of the people of Vieques and scientists and experts conducting independent testing are heard. Grayson has consistently called for more attention in the U.S. Congress to Vieques health issues and a responsible decontamination process.
For videoclip of Grayson on Vieques, see http://floridaspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/03/alan-grayson-on-vieques.html
Photograph from New York Daily News article “U.S. military sparks outcry with new look at Vieques” at www.nydailynews.com/latino/2009/03/21/2009-03…
