Representative Murkowski,
Greetings from Juneau, Alaska! This is Forest Kvasnikoff. I am a young, lifetime, resident of Alaska, and I am writing you to ask for your continued support and championing of Senate Bill 1756. As you may know, in the month of April the University of Alaska Southeast in conjunction with the Hiroshima Peace Museum, the Marshallese government, The Leighty Foundation, Juneau People For Peace, Juneau World Affairs, Juneau Veterans For Peace, and a Seattle based educational program called Voices in Wartime, all worked together to sponsor and put on a Nuclear Awareness Conference. There were speakers throughout the United States including: Victoria Samson, a ballistic missile specialist; Andrew Himes, Voices in Wartime promoter; and Shegeko Sasamori, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing and currently a California resident.
In addition to these speakers, were guests and powerful speakers on behalf of the Marshallese people: Mayor James Matayoshi, Lijion Eknilang, and Dr. Holly Barker. From their testimonies and detailed accounts of the economic, health and social hurdles that the Marshallese people face in the aftermath of U.S. influence and Nuclear testing, a profound conviction has struck me - humanitarian and economic aid are essential and nearly obligatory for not only the benefit of Marshallese people, but also to work towards healing and rectify the historical injustice that has taken place in the Marshall Island's. You, as an informed and active promoter or Marshallese rights and their plight, are in no need of a history lesson of the Marshall Island's, so let us suffice to say, in a word, that it is tragic.
The obscurity and distance between Alaska (indeed the entire U.S.) and the Marshall Island's places many roadblocks in articulating why the U.S. should continue to act for the benefit of the Marshall Island's. As I've begun to take up the cause to grant support to the Marshallese people, there is one objection that is continually raised to me about appropriating funds for the Marshall Islands. The argument is incremental, in that many claim that if aid is granted with Senate Bill 1756, than another bill and another will arise which calls for more and more funds and resources to be dumped in for the Marshallese cause. This argument is certainly not ungrounded, for there is no way that we can put a price tag on life or suffering or injustice.
However, I would argue that the very tangible nuclear bombings of several of the Marshall Island's and relocation of Marshallese people, as well as the documented health effects that ensued demands that continued support and aid be granted to address the very real issues that followed the U.S. Government's and Military decision to conduct 67 nuclear tests within the Marshall Island's. This is not about blame but responsibility and continued American democratic conviction for individual rights and equality - no matter their location or nationality. Further, in response to those that house fears about a possible spiraling of humanitarian aid appropriations - in light of the current affairs of war and conflict, where literally billions of dollars are spent daily - it seems apparent that war is much more expensive than philanthropic and generous acts of humanity.
In closing, I ask that you recommit yourself to the Marshallese people and U.S. Responsibility to them. I plead with you to reformulate your arguments and solidify your support regarding this quietly forgotten but crucial issue. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully Yours,
Forest Kvasnikoff
Greetings from Juneau, Alaska! This is Forest Kvasnikoff. I am a young, lifetime, resident of Alaska, and I am writing you to ask for your continued support and championing of Senate Bill 1756. As you may know, in the month of April the University of Alaska Southeast in conjunction with the Hiroshima Peace Museum, the Marshallese government, The Leighty Foundation, Juneau People For Peace, Juneau World Affairs, Juneau Veterans For Peace, and a Seattle based educational program called Voices in Wartime, all worked together to sponsor and put on a Nuclear Awareness Conference. There were speakers throughout the United States including: Victoria Samson, a ballistic missile specialist; Andrew Himes, Voices in Wartime promoter; and Shegeko Sasamori, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing and currently a California resident.
In addition to these speakers, were guests and powerful speakers on behalf of the Marshallese people: Mayor James Matayoshi, Lijion Eknilang, and Dr. Holly Barker. From their testimonies and detailed accounts of the economic, health and social hurdles that the Marshallese people face in the aftermath of U.S. influence and Nuclear testing, a profound conviction has struck me - humanitarian and economic aid are essential and nearly obligatory for not only the benefit of Marshallese people, but also to work towards healing and rectify the historical injustice that has taken place in the Marshall Island's. You, as an informed and active promoter or Marshallese rights and their plight, are in no need of a history lesson of the Marshall Island's, so let us suffice to say, in a word, that it is tragic.
The obscurity and distance between Alaska (indeed the entire U.S.) and the Marshall Island's places many roadblocks in articulating why the U.S. should continue to act for the benefit of the Marshall Island's. As I've begun to take up the cause to grant support to the Marshallese people, there is one objection that is continually raised to me about appropriating funds for the Marshall Islands. The argument is incremental, in that many claim that if aid is granted with Senate Bill 1756, than another bill and another will arise which calls for more and more funds and resources to be dumped in for the Marshallese cause. This argument is certainly not ungrounded, for there is no way that we can put a price tag on life or suffering or injustice.
However, I would argue that the very tangible nuclear bombings of several of the Marshall Island's and relocation of Marshallese people, as well as the documented health effects that ensued demands that continued support and aid be granted to address the very real issues that followed the U.S. Government's and Military decision to conduct 67 nuclear tests within the Marshall Island's. This is not about blame but responsibility and continued American democratic conviction for individual rights and equality - no matter their location or nationality. Further, in response to those that house fears about a possible spiraling of humanitarian aid appropriations - in light of the current affairs of war and conflict, where literally billions of dollars are spent daily - it seems apparent that war is much more expensive than philanthropic and generous acts of humanity.
In closing, I ask that you recommit yourself to the Marshallese people and U.S. Responsibility to them. I plead with you to reformulate your arguments and solidify your support regarding this quietly forgotten but crucial issue. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully Yours,
Forest Kvasnikoff
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