Sean Reyes: “I have opposed this bill at every turn. On October 7, 1997, the House passed H.R. 629, in spite of overwhelming…”

“I have opposed this bill at every turn. On October 7, 1997, the House passed H.R. 629, in spite of overwhelming opposition by the residents of Hudspeth County, Presidio County, Jeff Davis County and others in West Texas. I respect my colleagues that are on the other side of this issue. I respect the fact that they have strong opinions about the necessity of our State and Vermont and Maine to have a site where nuclear waste can be stored. However, this issue is about fairness. This issue is about understanding that a life in Sierra Blanca, Texas, is worth the same as a life in Rockwall, in Houston, and in any other part of this great country of ours. I believe that this site threatens the health and safety of our citizens, our citizens that live in Sierra Blanca, Texas. In spite of the designation of 'low level,' this dump would accept intensely radioactive materials. The proposed dump site is also at risk in this particular area of Texas from earthquakes. This radioactive site would effectively threaten the water supply of about 3 million people by threatening the Rio Grande River.”