Here is a press release from U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson
(D-N.M.) of the U.S. House of Representatives.
I downloaded the press release from the PR On-Line BBS in
Maryland at 410-363-0834.
Rep. Richardson Seeks White House Assistance in Solving Disease
Mystery
To: National Desk
Contact: Stu Nagurka of the Office of U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson,
202-225-6190
WASHINGTON, June 2 -- U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.),
wrote President Bill Clinton on Tuesday, June 1, and
expressed his grave concern about the infectious disease that has
caused 12 deaths on the Navajo reservation.
Richardson, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Native American
Affairs, contacted the president after visiting the Four Corners area
of New Mexico on Tuesday.
"I have written President Clinton in order to ensure that every
effort is being made to identify this deadly disease," said
Richardson. "I have called on the president to make sure that every
resource is brought to bear to identify and combat this lethal
malady."
In his letter to the president, Richardson requested that Health
and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala declare the Navajo
reservation a Public Health Emergency Area. This special health
designation would make the area eligible for additional federal funds
from the Public Health Emergency Fund.
"In a reservation community, an infectious disease can spread at a
rapid pace and cause untold damage," explained Richardson. "The
cause of this disease must be determined as quickly as possible so
that no further injuries or deaths occur."
-30-
-- Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ae446@freenet.carleton.ca