Northwest Public Radio - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell made a visit to Richland, Washington Friday to highlight how creating a B Reactor National Historical Park would create jobs and spur tourism in southeast Washington. The B Reactor at Hanford was the world’s first full-scale plutonium production facility. Correspondent Anna King has more.
Senator Maria Cantwell believes despite its dark history, Hanford has an important lesson to share.
“There is a scientific story here about scientific accomplishment,” she says.
Paula Mary Bruggerman was also at the press event. Through tears she explained that her parents were forced off their 500-acre ranch when she was three so the federal government could build Hanford. She hopes the B Reactor would highlight sacrifices made by families like hers.
The U.S. Senate and House bills would also preserve Manhattan Project sites at Los Alamos, New Mexico and Oak Ridge Tennessee.
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As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities.
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.