175 Lewis Lane
Craig, CO  81625
970-824-2260
tbarrie@yahoo.com

June 25, 2004

Craig Daily Press
466 Yampa Street
Craig, CO  81625

Dear Editor:

I am happy to report that the United States Senate unanimously passed
legislation last week that would reform the Energy Employees Occupational
Illness Compensation Act of 2000.  It was adopted as part of the FY 05
Defense Authorization Act.  Responsibility will be transferred from the
Department of Energy to the Department of Labor.  Many Craig residents
signed a petition supporting legislation to repair the program to help cold
war workers made ill in nuclear weapons factories. 

The fight is not over, by any means.  The United States House of
Representatives still needs to accept the Senate amendment as part of a
House-Senate conference committee on the Defense Authorization Act.
Colorado has two seats at the table, because Senator Wayne Allard and
Representative Joel Hefley will likely be on the conference committee which
will determine whether this legislation lives or dies.

Senator Allard is familiar with this issue, and we urge him to take a
leadership role in ensuring that the reform to the nuclear workers
compensation program will survive the House-Senate conference committee
intact.  We also urge the entire Colorado delegation to voice support
through letters to the House-Senate conferees.

I wish to thank the citizens of Craig and of Moffat County for being so
concerned and supportive through their signatures on the petition in
support of this legislation

Sincerely,



Terrie Barrie
Founding Member
Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups