Wife of Late U.S. Representative Rallies for Asbestos Ban
Sue Vento, the widow of the late Bruce Vento, U.S. Representative from Minnesota, appeared before Congress this week to appeal for a ban on asbestos, says an article penned by the Associated Press.
In 2000, Bruce Vento died of mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Mrs. Vento talked to the members of a Senate panel about her husband’s struggles with this painful and debilitating disease.
“Your bill will bring hope to all of us whose lives have been touched by this disease,” Sue Vento told the Senate Health Committee’s employment and workplace safety subcommittee. “It will prohibit the use of asbestos and will correct the mistaken belief held by so many that asbestos was banned decades ago.”
Joining in the fight was Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash), who brought visuals with her to the hearing. Murray held up a box of brake pads purchased last week that contain asbestos. While most American automakers stopped using asbestos in the 1980s, it’s still possible to purchase imported brakes that contain asbestos.
“How many more Americans have to die before our government finally does the right thing and bans asbestos?” she asked. “We have to do the right thing, and we have to do it now.” She pointed out that more than 40 countries have already banned asbestos.
Murray has previously introduced bills calling for a ban on asbestos but none have passed. She hopes that with the Democrats now in control, such legislation may be successful.
