Congress·In Committee·H.R. 4290

New Mexico: Plaques for Atomic Test Victims

Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025

3 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill, introduced by Vasquez, would create three memorial plaques to honor people in New Mexico known as "Downwinders." These are families who lived near the site of the world's first atomic bomb test in 1945 and were exposed to dangerous radiation.
The plaques would be placed at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park. These locations are near where the "Trinity" test happened, which caused generations of health problems like cancer and infertility for local residents.
If passed, the government would have one year to design and install the plaques in areas where the public can see them. This is meant to officially recognize the suffering of these communities, which many feel has been ignored for decades.

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

Mar 11, 2026House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Jul 2, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jul 2, 2025

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 4290

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Sponsor

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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