[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 108 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

  1st Session
S. RES. 108

    Designating July 16, 1995, as ``National Atomic Veterans Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                April 6 (legislative day, April 5), 1995

 Mr. Wellstone (for himself, Mr. Simon, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Daschle, Mr. 
 Pryor, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Leahy) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating July 16, 1995, as ``National Atomic Veterans Day''.

Whereas July 16, 1995, is the 50th anniversary of the first detonation of an 
        atomic bomb at Alamagordo, New Mexico;
Whereas the members of the Armed Forces who have been exposed to ionizing 
        radiation as a result of the detonation of a nuclear weapon or device 
        are considered to be America's ``atomic veterans'';
Whereas atomic veterans are in many ways one of the most neglected groups of 
        United States veterans;
Whereas atomic veterans served their country patriotically and proudly, 
        believing fully that the United States Government would protect them 
        from any serious hazards to their health;
Whereas atomic veterans were not told of the hazards they faced from exposure to 
        ionizing radiation, often were provided with little protection from such 
        exposure even when deployed at or near ground zero immediately after 
        test detonations of nuclear weapons, on occasion were not provided film 
        badges to measure their exposure to radiation during such detonations, 
        and were provided with no follow-up medical care or other monitoring to 
        determine the health consequences of such exposure;
Whereas for 40 years after World War II Federal law contained no provisions 
        specifically providing veterans compensation or health care for atomic 
        veterans for service-connected radiogenic diseases; and
Whereas many of the 250,000 members of the Armed Forces who participated in 
        post-World War II atmospheric nuclear testing were forbidden from 
        publicly revealing such participation for reasons of national security 
        and received no recognition for their important contributions to the 
        United States and the Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) July 16, 1995, is designated as ``National Atomic 
        Veterans Day''; and
            (2) the President is authorized and requested to issue a 
        proclamation calling on the departments and agencies of the 
        Federal Government, State and local governments, and the people 
        of the United States to observe that day with appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>