Tom Udall: “H.R. 2584 is a noncontroversial piece of legislation previously passed by the House on November 21, 2003, that would…”

“H.R. 2584 is a noncontroversial piece of legislation previously passed by the House on November 21, 2003, that would convey a decommissioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, research vessel, to the local government of Utrok Atoll located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The conveyance of this vessel will allow more convenient transportation for the residents of Utrok Atoll who have to make a 265-mile trip to the neighboring island of Majuro to receive testing and critical medical treatments as a result of the U.S. nuclear testing program we conducted in the Northern Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958. I commend the Delegate from American Samoa for introducing this legislation to help alleviate the burden shared by the residents of this very remote atoll in the Pacific Ocean. H.R. 2584 also contains an important provision to address procedural lapses in promotions and appointments within NOAA's commissioned officer corps.”