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Rep. Shields carries bill to help Guard soldiers exposed to hexavalent chromium
Kellog, Brown and Root alleged to have "disregarded and downplayed the extreme danger of wholesale site contamination" in Iraq.
HB 3480 will provide funds to Guard members who develop cancer as a result of exposure to hexavalent chromium at facility.
Rep. Shields amends bill to make Kellog, Brown and Root pay.
Salem, Ore. - Today Rep. Chip Shields (D-N/NE Portland) carried House Bill 3480 to unanimous passage in the Oregon House of Representatvies. The bill authorizes the Oregon Military Department to make payments to members of the Oregon National Guard who developed cancer as a result of their exposure to hexavalent chromium.
"Passing this bill is a very modest recognition of their pain and sacrifice," said Rep. Shields. "It's about marking this tragedy, this crime, for history."
In 2003, Oregon and Indiana Guard Members were assigned to protect Kellogg Brown and Root employees who were rebuilding a water treatment plant outside of Basra, Iraq. Soldiers reportedly saw large amounts of an orange-colored dust that contained hexavalent chromium on the ground and covering the pipes in the water treatment plant. Exposure to small amounts of hexavalent chromium has shown a high increase the risk of leukemia as well as lung, stomach, brain, renal, bladder and bone cancers. Three Oregon National Guard members who were exposed have already contracted cancer.
"KBR knew the water treatment plant was contaminated, but this information was never given to our troops," said Shields.
A group of Indiana Guard Members began a lawsuit against KBR in February of last year claiming the contractor "disregarded and downplayed" the seriousness of the contamination. Oregon Guard Members initiated a lawsuit this month.
Shields referenced the moving testimony given in committee by Guard Members Scott Ashby and Larry Roberta.
"We fought with duty and honor and and served our country," Ashby said in committee. "Please stand with me to pass this bill."
"These are men and women who stood up for Oregon and for our country," explained Rep. Shields. "We all need to stand up for them as they come home."
At the suggestion of constituents, Shields amended the bill to provide the Military Department with subrogated rights so that Kellog Brown and Root will reimburse the state for payments should the company be deemed liable.
The bills now moves to the Senate.
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Click here to view the testimony of Larry Roberta from the Rules Commitee.
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State Rep. Chip Shields