HR4290-119

What This Bill Does

This bill commemorates New Mexico Downwinder communities affected by radioactive fallout from the first atomic bomb detonation on July 16, 1945. Congress finds that those communities suffered generations of detrimental health effects, including cancer and infertility, from the fallout. Within one year, the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Air Force, and Secretary of the Interior must jointly obtain three honorific plaques of appropriate design.

The Army must place one plaque at a publicly accessible location at White Sands Missile Range. The Air Force must place one plaque at a publicly accessible location at Holloman Air Force Base. The Interior Secretary must place one plaque at a publicly accessible location at White Sands National Park. The bill does not create compensation or health benefits; its mechanism is public recognition at sites tied to the Trinity test and surrounding federal lands.

Who Benefits and How

New Mexico Downwinder communities benefit from federal acknowledgment of health harms linked to radioactive fallout. Downwinder advocacy organizations benefit because the bill creates permanent public markers at prominent federal sites. Families of exposed New Mexico residents benefit from recognition of cancer, infertility, and intergenerational health effects. Visitors to White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park benefit from historical context about the human costs of the first atomic bomb test. Plaque manufacturers and installation contractors may receive small procurement work.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Department of the Army facilities staff must help obtain and place a plaque at White Sands Missile Range. Department of the Air Force facilities staff must do the same at Holloman Air Force Base. Department of the Interior park staff must install and maintain a public plaque at White Sands National Park. The three Secretaries must coordinate design, consultation with other agencies as appropriate, public access, and site placement within one year.

Key Provisions

• Finds that New Mexico Downwinder communities suffered cancer, infertility, and other health effects from radioactive fallout after the July 16, 1945 atomic bomb detonation.
• Requires the Army, Air Force, and Interior Secretaries to jointly obtain three honorific plaques within one year.
• Requires one plaque at White Sands Missile Range.
• Requires one plaque at Holloman Air Force Base.
• Requires one plaque at White Sands National Park.