Norman D. Dicks: “I rise to thank the Chairman for his efforts to address the serious problem of toxic waste remaining on the island of…”

“I rise to thank the Chairman for his efforts to address the serious problem of toxic waste remaining on the island of Bermuda and submit, on behalf of myself and the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Frelinghuysen, for insertion in the Record, two letters to the chairman on this issue, one from the Premier of Bermuda and one from the British Ambassador, as well as a letter the Chairman wrote to the Secretary of the Navy on this topic. Hamilton, Bermuda, May 29, 2000. Hon. Jerry Lewis, Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense, House Appropriations Committee, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman, I have been advised that the House Appropriations Committee is now considering report language that would require the U.S. Department of Defense to work with the Governments of Bermuda and the United Kingdom on a resolution of the Bermuda base lands clean-up issue. In this connection, the Navy has on several occasions stated that Bermuda agreed to accept the reversion of the former Navy properties in Bermuda in an 'as is' condition. I wish to advise you unequivocally that this is not the case. Bermuda has consistently expressed its concern directly to the U.S. Navy about the contaminated condition of the base lands and has never agreed to accept the property in its contaminated state. As Ambassador Meyer reaffirmed during his visit with the Subcommittee recently, the British Embassy has also consistently supported Bermuda's position in this matter.”