We Have Waited Long Enough!

Newsletter

Feb. 11, 2016

Friends & Neighbors,

If you would like to learn more about the issues addressed in this newsletter or would like to discuss any matter involving state government, please contact my Capitol office.

For a full list of my legislation: http://www.senate.mo.gov/16info/bts_web/sponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=440

Sincerely,

Maria Chappelle-Nadal
14th District
(573) 751-4106

Legislative Update

I am very grateful to hear Senate Bill No. S.2306 is moving through Congress. In 2012, I wrote about radioactive waste in North County and was quite disturbed by my findings.

In 2013 and 2014, I began to do more research and decided to file SCR 11 and
SCR 23. I sponsored these resolutions to encourage Congress to transfer authority for the remediation of the West Lake Landfill radioactive wastes from the EPA to the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP).

While it took three (3!) years for our congressional delegation to move on this very critical issue, I am grateful that Bridgeton and Maryland Heights residents finally get some resolution and attention from Congress.

In my research, I have found only two congressional leaders who stood out on this effort to raise awareness and advocacy, historically – U.S. Senator Kit Bond and Congressmen Beuchner. It is true, there are too few people who actually care to mention their knowledge of radioactive contamination. But, I believe we are morally obligated to talk about this issue beyond exhaustion.

In my experience, silence is violence. Unfortunately, radioactive waste migrates very easily through naturally occurring events, such as tornadoes, earthquakes and torrential rains. The stories I hear are very hard to carry without having your heart sink. This is one of the reasons why I have chosen to dedicate most of my time to raising awareness of this important issue.

The narratives I have heard include a 16-year-old who died due to testicular cancer. There are a number of people who have gotten and died from brain tumors or have become victim to a number of autoimmune diseases. This is a healthcare crisis we are dealing with, and it has existed for a very long time. There are women who have had multiple miscarriages or are altogether unable to have children. Hundreds of people who have had multiple cancers, some who have had breast cancer multiple times. The stories of people that have lost their entire livelihoods through no fault of their own is overwhelmingly tragic.

There is another concern all should be aware of—the number of retired landfills that people live and raise families atop. Again, families are getting sick and wondering why this is happening. Again, it is not their fault, but the burden of our federal government. There is a former landfill at Greer and Norwood in St. Louis City. There are retired landfills in Castle Point and Maplewood as well. There are also sites where there was illegal dumping, such as Northwoods.

Years ago, the Department of Energy chose St. Louis as a site to process uranium and other elements for wartime use. When the war was over, unscrupulous haulers dumped the discards everywhere. Elements, such as uranium, are all over the place, including under people’s homes!

However, this is not the only injury to our community. Recently, I met with Dr. Lisa Martino-Taylor, who has extensively written about cadmium contamination at the now demolished Pruitt-Igoe public housing site. There is an effort to build the new NGA very close to the same site where cadmium was poured on rooftops as a test to see how people’s lungs would respond to this type of poisoning. Cadmium poisoning occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. Families are still dealing with the long-term effects.

Back to Bridgeton. In the Missouri Legislature, there are pending attempts to undermine the work of Attorney General Chris Koster and the efforts of several private citizens who are trying to raise awareness of radioactive waste that exists in the St. Louis region. My office has flagged a list of bills as detrimental to the effort of citizens becoming whole again. Don’t fret, I’m on it. As long as people are getting sick and dying, I will be fighting this terrible legislation.

Library Advocacy Day

(Shown in images) Sen. Chappelle-Nadal meets with librarians who visited the Capitol for Library Advocacy Day on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016.

I was proud to host a reception this week for librarians who were visiting the Capitol for Library Advocacy Day. I can’t speak highly enough of the work our libraries do. From providing computer access to those without, to helping a young child find that special book that will spark a love of reading for life, their efforts in our communities are invaluable. As a library lover myself, it was an honor and a privilege to meet with them and discuss any opinions or concerns they had regarding public policy. Keep up the great work!

Weekend Review

(Shown in images) Sen. Chappelle-Nadal met this cutie while at World News in Clayton. The girl and her father were picking up items to read.

Last weekend, I attended a number of events within the St. Louis region. On Friday morning, Feb. 5, I was proud to partake in the 27th Annual African-American Read-In at Jackson Park Elementary School. I was one of many volunteers who had the chance to read a book to the children. The event is a wonderful way to encourage a love of reading in all ethnic groups, the key goal of the Read-In when it was created in 1990.

Friday night, I was at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s “Pink Goes Red” slide dance, held at The Omega Center. The goal of the event was to raise awareness of stroke and heart disease. Proceeds went to the American Heart Association. It was a special evening in support of a great cause.

On Saturday afternoon, I was present at the most recent St. Louis NOW meeting, with keynote speaker Terry O’Neill, president of NOW. The meeting, held at Great St. Mark’s Church, was informative and inspiring. A breakout session was held focusing on the organization’s priorities for the St. Louis area. There were many great conversations on how we can improve our area.

(Shown in images) photos from the Chinese New Year Gala held annually in St. Louis. This year’s festival was on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016.

Finally, on Saturday night, I had the privilege of attending the annual Chinese New Year Gala, also known as the Spring Festival. The show celebrated the year of the Monkey, which symbolizes competition and challenge. I thought it was an appropriate sign as we continue our work in making the St. Louis area a place of hope and equity. I was delighted by the event, and look forward to it every year.

Maria In The News

“Missouri primary is March 15” - St. Louis American (Feb. 3, 2016)

“Medical marijuana advocates seek signatures in Springfield” - Springfield News-Leader (Feb. 6, 2016)

“Emboldened by Protests, Black Lives Matter Activists Move From Street to Ballot” - New York Times (Feb. 6, 2016)

“Senate debates death penalty, but abolition not yet on horizon” - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Feb. 8, 2016)

“Manhattan Project Part I: Waste From WWII Era Atomic Bombs Left Behind in St. Louis” - Ozarks First (Feb. 8, 2016)

“Manhattan Project Part II: Disease, Nuclear Waste Possibly Linked in St. Louis County” - Ozarks First (Feb. 9, 2016)

“Manhattan Project Part III: Fire, Nuclear Waste in Landfill Present Problems for St. Louis Region” - Ozarks First (Feb. 10, 2016)

“Timeline of @MoDemParty denial of VAN access” - 3 Chics Politico (Feb. 8, 2016)

“Chappelle-Nadal fights with Missouri Democratic officials over voter list” - St. Louis Public Radio (Feb. 9, 2016)

“Senate committee considers deadly force bills to update law” - The Rolla Daily News (Feb. 9, 2016)

“Missouri Senators Consider Government Role in Road Safety” - CBS St. Louis (Feb. 10, 2016)

“Black challengers of Democrat incumbents fight with party over access” - St. Louis American (Feb. 11, 2016)

“Bernie and Hillary Want to Know: Who Would Trayvon Martin Vote For?” - The Root (Feb. 11, 2016)

Citizen Comments

“Thank you for your continued commitment to our school district. We are proud to know that you are using your voice to advocate for us so that we are able to continue in the practice of educating children.” Crystal

“Thanks for all your work in Jeff City but especially your efforts to clean up radioactive waste in St. Louis and to increase the minimum wage to $15 in MO.” Rev. Carleton

“It was nice to see you again on Wednesday; thanks again for your introduction and support of my appointment. Thanks” Andy

“Each time I have called your office with a concern about my brother, an inmate at Farmington Corr. Ctr., someone in your office has been so kind in addressing my concerns; explaining to me what your office has done to help me. With everything you hear about our leaders, it is good to know someone really does care. It makes me know that I am not alone trying to get answers to some of my questions and concerns heard. God bless you and the people that represent you in the work that you all do.” Alecia