VVAF Co-Founder Craig Williams Receives Goldman Environmental Prize  

Photo by Sean Perry, courtesy of The Goldman Environmental Prize

Over twenty-five years ago, Craig Williams shared a vision to transform the American experience of the Vietnam War into a mission of compassion and justice. That vision led to the creation of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation. Today another of Williams' missions is being recognized.

Each year, six outstanding environmentalists from regions all over the world are honored for exemplary work in their field. The Goldman Environmental Prize is the largest cash award given to environmental groups, and is often considered the "Nobel" of environmental awards. VVAF co-founder and long-time board member Craig Williams received the prestigious Goldman Prize last week. Williams' non-profit organization, the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG), focuses on the safe disposal of chemical weapons around the world.

"Our heartfelt congratulations go to Craig on this achievement," said VVAF co-founder Bobby Muller. "As an organization that deals with the physical and personal casualties of war, we understand all too well the need to dismantle and dispose of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons whenever possible."

Williams received the award for his work convincing the Pentagon to stop plans to incinerate stockpiles of chemical weapons stored in various locations around the United States. In 1985 he discovered that one of the nine weapons stockpiles was very close to his home in Berea, Ky., and decided to take action. He began a grassroots organization, CWWG, researching the effects of burning chemical weapons and safer disposal options. Working with scientists and chemists, Williams and CWWG began providing evidence to the government that not only were there significant technical and environmental problems and huge cost overruns at the incinerators, but that safer alternative disposal methods were available. They discovered that water-based processes, although slightly more expensive, could clean the weapons and substances without affecting the environment and local residents.

After years of petitioning, Congress agreed in 1993 to delay funding some of the incinerators while calling for a report on safer methods of disposal. In 1996 the Army announced that it would use safer water-based methods of disposal at sites in Maryland and Indiana, while suspending funds for incinerators in Colorado and Kentucky.

Although safer methods of disposal are now being used at several weapons stockpiles, some incinerators are still in use. Williams and CWWG continue to work with citizens in Oregon, Utah, Alabama, and Arkansas, where incinerators are currently destroying chemical weapons.

"I am honored and excited about receiving this award," said Williams. "The hope is that it will increase our visibility and the capacity to advance our goals."

Williams is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, and one of the original founders of VVAF. He served on VVAF's Board of Directors for 17 years.

"We applaud Craig's successful effort towards safely dismantling chemical weapons here in the United States," said Nuclear Threat Reduction Campaign (NTRC) Senior Director Lt. Gen. Robert Gard.

VVAF's NTRC program has for several years worked to secure hazardous nuclear weapons on the international front. NTRC works to educate key decision-makers on a non-partisan basis in an effort to advance public policy that reduces the threat posed by nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. In 2005 the program successfully discouraged the Congressional funding of a dangerous new "bunker buster" nuclear weapon. The group also collaborated successfully with the 9/11 Commission to highlight the urgent need to secure loose nuclear weapons around the world, keeping them out of the hands of terrorists.

In 2006 NTRC hopes to build on this success with new attempts to fully implement the conclusions of the 9/11 Commission, enhance border security, and redirect former biological weapons experts in Russia by collaborating on the development of countermeasures for biological weapons like anthrax, smallpox and plague. 

“It takes both domestic and international approaches to weapons removal to insure a lasting and safe peace,” said Gard.