RICHLAND, Wash. -- 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.
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.
On the Web:
Hanford's B Reactor:
http://www.hanford.gov/page.cfm/BReactor
B Reactor Museum Association:
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