Begich Introduces Tsunami Debris Amendment

     U.S. Senator Mark Begich introduced an amendment Tuesday to employ military veterans as coordinators of community clean-ups of marine debris from the Japanese tsunami of last year. Begich and co-sponsors offered the amendment to the Veterans Job Corps Act of 2012, which is being considered in the Senate this week.

 

     In a news release, Begich said that Alaska, the west coast, and Hawaii face – quote – “an onslaught of marine debris from the Japanese tsunami which the administration has yet to address.” He says the amendment would use the leadership skills the vets developed in the military to put them to work organizing volunteers to clean-up the tsunami debris. The amendment would ensure that 50-million-dollars would be set aside to hire veterans to help coordinate debris cleanup.