Submit your letters to your elected officials. Support takes an act of Congress and we can make it happen! Links have been updated U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs - Contact the Committee Chairman Sen. Daniel Akaka Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Contact the Ranking Member Sen. Richard Burr Congressional Veterans' Committees Info/POC and Senators of the 111th Congress and It is easy, you can submit your letters via the internet form and it takes only about 10 minutes. As a courtesy, please let me know if you send in the letters. If you do not want to take the time to write your own letter, feel free to copy and paste the following. *************************************** From 1983 - 2001 incinerator emission polluted NAF Atsugi, Japan. Levels of dioxin, lead, cadmium, benzene, mercury, TCE, furans, dioxins, methylene chloride, chromium and other metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter as well as other toxic chemicals that were released by the Jinkanpo / Shinkampo incinerator. All these chemicals exceeded both Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS). Top government officials had full knowledge that the Navy was stationing families in a toxic wasteland. For over a decade families were exposed to some of the highest Dioxin levels. In 1988 the Navy started studying the toxins released by the incinerator and continued to do so for over a decade. Even former Secretary of Defense Cohen stated in a letter to Ambassador Thomas Foley, ……..”If we cannot eliminate the threat to our people, then we will have no choice but to move our people away from the threat.” Eventually, in 2000 the United States Justice Department sued the owner of the incinerator and the Government of Japan purchased the incinerator and terminated its operation. Now former residents are sick, have died or are dying of cancer and the Navy is denying liability because of common knowledge (we should have known we would get sick) and the discretionary function exception which grants the government immunity. I am writing to ask that you conduct hearings to investigate the activities of the United States Navy in regards to housing military personnel in a known toxic contaminated site and consider legislation that would provide former NAF Atsugi, Japan residents with the proper health care and screening and to find out if NAF Atsugi is still contaminated. For more facts, please visit http://www.atsugi-incinerator-group.com/
********************************************** Don't forget to add the following to your letter - Stop allowing the DON to investigate itself. We formally request that the following functions be conducted by an independent and unbiased entity performs these duties. Outreach: A dedicated, publicized, outreach program in which former Registry: Prepared a valid residential registry, which includes all Notification: Publish and notify all NAF Atsugi, Japan residents and NAF Atsugi Health Survey: Request data be gathered from all persons Benefits & Compensation: Assure that military personnel, dependents Note: Currently the VA acknowledges DIOXIN (Agent Orange) related exposure for Vietnam Veterans. The DON has fully documented the NAF Atsugi residents were exposed to detrimental levels of Dioxin.
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United States Navy FAX : (703) 693-9408 ************************************************************* ******************************************************************** The NEHC prepared many of the reports, health studies and risk assessments on NAF Atsugi. Their team is well versed in this subject.Department of the Navy It is important to read the Committee of Toxicology (COT) reviews of the studies and risk communications in order to understand the limitations of the NEHC efforts. www.nap.edu search Atsugi. The Carbon Copy List (CC) is key. When you cc members of Congress and your Senators keep in mind that all mail sent to congressional offices is still being screened. It could take weeks or months for the letter to arrive. So it is suggested that all the letters be FAX, do not forget to print out a confirmation receipt. If you do not have a fax at home, many places offer these services for a minimal fee. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigation (Special Investigations section: NAF Atsugi Incinerator) Fax 202-225-5288 The U.S. House Committee on Armed Services (Military Personnel Subcommittee) Fax 202-225-9077 When you write letters pertaining to your displeasure to the exposure and details regarding you or your family’s illnesses, it is recommended to keep your letters short and to the point. Try not to go over 2 pages. Be very specific regarding symptoms and diagnosis, ask the Navy to be proactive.
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TEAMWORK SHOWS PROGRESS US Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Hearing on October 8, 09 ***************************
Letters I have written and the responses I have received from the Navy BUMED NEHC My letters have gotten lost and or gone unanswered for months, it has helped that I had a receipt to prove that I, in fact, sent a letter. Personally, I use FedEx or Priority mail, so I can track it and confirm the receipt.
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