WASHINGTON April 29, 1980 Dear Scott: Thank you for your letter of April 21, 1980, regarding the three-state proposal to study the radiation effects from open-air weapons testing in the 1950's and 1960's. I spoke with Secretary Harris and she indicated that she has already convened an Interagency Radiation Research Committee to evaluate the proposal. We look forward to working with you and Governors Babbitt and List on this important project and I will keep you informed of our progress. Warm personal regards. Sincerely, Jack E. Watson, Jr. The Honorable Scott M. Matheson Governor of Utah State Capitol Salt Lake City, Utah 84114 SOVE SCOTT M. MATHESON GOVERNOR THE UTAH STATE OF UTAH OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SALT LAKE CITY GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES SUBMITTAL OF RADIATION HEALTH PROPOSAL, NEWS RELEASE April 21, 1980 Governor Scott M. Matheson today announced that a three-state proposal to study possible radiation effects from above-ground atomic testing during the 1950's and 60's has been submitted for funding to the National Institutes of Health. The four-part proposal, which includes segments from the University of Utah College of Medicine, the Utah State Department of Health, the State of Nevada and the State of Arizona, calls for some $18 million in federal funding over a five-year period. Dr. Chase N. Peterson, Vice President for Health Sciences at the University of Utah and coordinator of the study, handcarried the proposal package to Washington, D.C. on April 16. That same day he met with Dr. Charles Lowe, Special Assistant to Dr. Donald Fredrickson, Director of the National Institutes of Health, and members of the President's Interagency Task Force on Radiation. April 21, 1980 Governor Matheson said that a joint letter signed by the Governors of the three states involved has been mailed to President Carter and Patricia Roberts Harris, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, to encourage prompt attention to the funding request. The University of Utah College of Medicine requests some $13.149 million to study: 1. dosimetry; 2. health effects, including adult and child cancer, thyroid disease, congenital abnormalities, and cytogenetics; and 3. funding for a document and data processing center. The Utah State Department of Health requests a total of $1.028 million to conduct patient and professional education programs and to consider the advisability of developing special cancer clinics. The Nevada proposal requests $2.797 million to study comparative dosimetry and health effects in six Nevada communities, three described as high fallout areas and and the other three described as low fallout areas. The Arizona proposal requests $1.244 million to study dosimetry in Northern Arizona, a feasibility study of possible health effects incurred by the Navajo Nation, and a small document collection. Governor Matheson emphasized that the four segments of the proposal package are separate and distinct but they are compatable with one another. "I am hopeful that this overall proposal package will receive the earliest and most urgent consideration from the April 21, 1980 Administration. The people of our States need answers to their questions on whether they have been subjected to possible harm from the above-ground atomic testing. I will do everything in my power to ensure that the necessary federal funds are forthcoming to finance this major study," Governor Matheson said. # # # TO : FROM HEALTH, EDUCATION HEALTH SERVICE : Members of the Committee on Federal Research Members of the Subcommittee to Develop Federal Special Assistant to the Director, NIH DATE: May 5, 1980 SUBJECT: Draft Federal Research Strategy The subject draft attached to this memorandum has been transmitted to We appreciate the many helpful comments received for improving the wowe Charles U. Lowe, M.D. Attachment [See p.384] |