HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	51
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

RequESTING the uNITED sTATES aRMED FORCES to take soil, AIR, AND WATER samples within 500 meters of all military bases in Hawaii to assess for depleted uranium, at least once every THREE months, and annually report to the legislature.

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium is what is left over when most of the highly radioactive types (isotopes) of uranium are removed for use as nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons; and

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a heavy metal used in armor-piercing munitions and in enhanced armor protection for some Abrams tanks that is also slightly radioactive and has chemical toxicity properties that, in high doses, can cause adverse health effects; and

     WHEREAS, a common misconception is that radiation is depleted uranium's primary hazard but depleted uranium that remains outside the body cannot harm you; and

     WHEREAS, taken into the body via metal fragments or dust-like particles, depleted uranium may pose a long-term health hazard to a person if the amount is large; and

     WHEREAS, the amount which remains in the body depends on a number of factors, including the amount inhaled or ingested, the particle size, and the ability of the particles to dissolve in body fluids; and

     WHEREAS, some researchers suspect exposure to depleted uranium might have caused chronic fatigue and other symptoms in veterans of the first Gulf War, but there is no conclusive evidence it has; and

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium was recovered at Schofield Barracks' range complex during clearing efforts to prepare for the expansion of additional training space and the construction of a rifle and pistol range for a new Stryker brigade combat team; and

     WHEREAS, 15 tail assemblies from spotting rounds made of D-38 uranium alloy were recovered in August 2006 by Zapata Engineering, a contractor hired by the military to clear the Schofield Barracks' range impact area of unexploded ordnance and scrap metal; and

     WHEREAS, the potential harm that could come about due to the presence of depleted uranium in the soil, air, and water is of great concern to the Legislature in terms of the health and safety of the people of Hawaii; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the United States Armed Forces are requested to take soil, air, and water samples within 500 meters of all military bases in Hawaii to assess for depleted uranium, at least once every three months, and annually report to the Legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Commander, U.S. Army Pacific; Commander, U.S. Marine Corps, Pacific; Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; Commander, U.S. Pacific Air Forces; Hawaii Congressional Delegation; State Adjutant General; and the Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES TO TAKE SOIL, AIR, AND WATER SAMPLES WITHIN 500 METERS OF ALL MILITARY BASES IN HAWAII TO ASSESS FOR DEPLETED URANIUM, AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS, AND ANNUALLY REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE.