J Truman, founder of the activist group Downwinders, said people across the West who lived in the fallout areas would be "delighted to see this new move toward getting discussions going to expand RECA compensation to all downwinders. ...

"It is heartening to see joint work by the elected representatives of Utah and Idaho taking the lead," he said.

A former resident of southwestern Utah who now lives in Idaho, Truman said the Gem State's senators "have been trying to build interest among their counterparts across the West but have not had the needed support from some states."

He hopes that the letter to the House Judiciary Committee will help in the Senate effort, too.

Asked when a congressional hearing might be held on the issue, Matheson said, "I'm hesitant to make a prediction for you because my crystal ball has been wrong in the past."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com