HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4654, by Representatives Delvin, Hankins, McDonald, D. Schmidt, Campbell, Talcott, Thomas, Mulliken, Fortunato and Dunn

      WHEREAS, Cancer kills more than one-half million Americans each year; and

      WHEREAS, Conventional treatments for cancer are costly, time consuming, and can have harmful side effects; and

      WHEREAS, Clinical trials are currently underway to develop alternative cancer treatments using radioisotopes to effectively destroy cancer cells while leaving most healthy cells intact; and

      WHEREAS, The success of these new treatment techniques have indicated the need for a dependable supply of radioisotopes; and

      WHEREAS, The United States has not produced enough radioisotopes to meet the demand; and

      WHEREAS, Patients in Seattle were refused prostate cancer treatment due to lack of medical isotopes; and

      WHEREAS, Promising research was stopped due to the lack of supply of medical isotopes; and

      WHEREAS, Numerous independent studies have suggested that the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) at Hanford could be used to produce cancer-curing medical isotopes; and

      WHEREAS, The FFTF is presently being maintained in a standby mode; and

      WHEREAS, The United States Department of Energy has announced their decision to further evaluate the FFTF for civilian means, which include medical isotope production, advanced material research, and other research and development programs;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and applaud the federal plans to fully evaluate the FFTF for use in meeting critical national research needs.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4654 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          March 26, 1999.

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Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk    Dean R. Foster Co-Chief Clerk