July 2, 2025
Mr. Vasquez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To direct the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Interior to obtain and place plaques honoring the Downwinder communities of New Mexico, who suffered detrimental health effects as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025
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Sec. 2. Plaques honoring Downwinder communities of New Mexico
(a) Finding
Congress finds that the Downwinder communities of New Mexico suffered generations of detrimental health effects, including cancer and infertility, as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout following the detonation of the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945.
(b) Honorific plaques
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of such other departments and agencies as the Secretaries determine appropriate, shall jointly obtain three honorific plaques of an appropriate design to commemorate the Downwinder communities of New Mexico.
(c) Placement of plaques
Of the three plaques obtained under subsection (b)—
(1)
the Secretary of the Army shall place one plaque at an appropriate, publicly accessible location at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico;
(2)
the Secretary of the Air Force shall place one plaque at an appropriate, publicly accessible location at the Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and
(3)
the Secretary of the Interior shall place one plaque at an appropriate, publicly accessible location at White Sands National Park, New Mexico.